Los Angeles Hydropower Refurbishment Underway

June 14, 2004 [SolarAccess.com] VA Tech Hydro, an international supplier of equipment and services for hydropower plants was awarded a contract by the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for the refurbishment of the San Francisquito Power Plant II. The order is valued at more than euro 14 million (US$16.9 million). The plant, originally constructed in 1920, was destroyed in 1928 as a result of the St. Francis Dam failure. Units 1 and 2 of the original plant were immediately rebuilt and put back in service, and a third unit was added in 1932. Work under the contract includes extensive repair work and replacements on the 16 MW units, as well as governor rehabilitation, new pressure relief and butterfly valves, transformers, switchgear, powerhouse automation and control, and concrete structure repair work. The U.S. National Hydropower Association stresses the importance of tapping existing hydropower facilities through upgrades and refurbishments as a major way to increase domestic energy production.