The New York Power Authority has approved a two-year, US$5.6 million contract to Ferguson Electric to assist with its Life Extension and Modernization program at the Niagara Power Project's 240-MW Lewiston Pump-Generating Plant, HydroWorld.com has learned.

The Life Extension and Modernization (LEM) program is designed to refurbish and modernize the Lewiston facilitiy, NYPA says, enhancing its performance and extending its working life.

The new contract will allow Ferguson to proceed with wiring and other work at Lewiston, including the installation of static exciters, generator circuit breakers, cable and pump-turbine unit instrumentation.

This latest contract marks the third NYPA has awarded Ferguson for work at the Lewiston pumped-storage plant.

HydroWorld.com reported in April that NYPA trustees had approved a $1.6 million contract for the design, manufacture, delivery and installation of new isolated phase buses and phase reversal switches.

Additionally, Ferguson was awarded a $4 million contract in March 2011 for the installation of new generator step-up transformers -- also part of the LEM program.

"Investing in our region's infrastructure is of utmost importance," says New York Senator Timothy M. Kennedy. "The Life Extension and Modernization Program under way by NYPA will ensure that the Niagara Power Project will be able to produce low-cost hydropower for western New York for generations to come."

In all, the LEM program will cost NYPA $460 million and take 10 years to complete. Other projects include upgrades to all of Lewiston's generator step-up transformers and 12 pump-turbines, which date to 1961.

NYPA says upgrades of the pump-turbine units will start in December, with one pump-turbine overhauled every eight to nine months. The schedule will allow for 11 of the 12 units to be operational at all times, with overall completion of the project expected in 2020.

Lewiston is one of two major pumped-storage facilities in New York State. The other - the 1,160-MW Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped-Storage Power Project, is also operated by NYPA.