Run of River Power Inc. has awarded a C$991,000 (US$873,000) contract to MAC &MAC Hydrodemolition Inc. to perform corrective maintenance at its 7.6-MW Brandywine Creek project near Whistler, B.C.
Run of River said Oct. 9 that MAC &MAC would use high-pressure water jets to clean corrosion and buildup from inside the project’s steel penstock. The contractor then will paint the inside of the penstock with a corrosion-resistant epoxy. The power plant will be shut down for three to four weeks beginning in October.
Run of River determined a 2,500-meter-long portion of the penstock should be cleaned and painted following discovery of an iron-reducing bacteria in area streams. The company said it expects the work will increase efficiency, resulting in a 5 to 10 percent increase in annual generation, which will offset the maintenance costs.
Run of River owns and operates the project, which began service in October 2003. Built by Ledcor Power Inc., Brandywine Creek operates under a head of 282 meters and generates about 40,000 kWh annually. It sells electricity to BC Hydro under a 20-year contract.
Run of River is parent company of Rockford Energy Corp., which developed Brandywine Creek with Pacific Northwest Energy Corp. Run of River said it is developing hydroelectric projects in two clusters near Vancouver. It expects 13 projects totaling 153 MW will generate more than 750 MWh annually.
