OREANDA-NEWS. The overhaul of the impeller of hydropower unit #15 at Cheboksarskaya HPP has been completed within the framework of the Program for Comprehensive Renovation (PCR*) carried out by RusHydro. After functional tests with the participance of the customer's representative, the hydroturbine components and parts were shipped to the hydropower plant. The impeller housing has been already delivered to the plant by a special purpose vehicle.

Thanks this renovation the impeller blade turning angle will vary depending on the load and pressure head. This will allow to achieve maximum electric power output at minimum water consumption. Besides, Cheboksarskaya HPP hydropower units have environmentally-friendly design with oil-free impeller hubs.

The renovated hydropower unit is to be put into operation early next year upon the completion of the entire scope of construction and installation works and carrying out of commissioning tests.

The hydropower units overhaul at Cheboksarskaya HPP began in 2007 by the renovation of the blade turning mechanism of impeller #7. Three more impellers - those of hydropower units ## 16, 8 and 4 - were overhauled in the period from 2010 to 2012. At present the manufacturer is restoring Kaplan operation mode of the plant's unit #6. Five more turbines will be renovated by the end of 2016.

In October 2012 Power Machines and RusHydro extended their cooperation aimed at the renovation of Cheboksarskaya HPP hydropower units by entering into a contract to overhaul eight hydropower units. After the units survey and project development the Group specialists will manufacture eight sets of stators with necessary equipment to complete hydrogenerators.  Besides, Power Machines are to provide supervision during the installation of hydropower equipment supplied.  The delivery of the first of the eight sets of equipment is scheduled for January 2014 and that of the last one - for February 2017.

The renovation of hydropower units of Cheboksarskaya HPP within the PCR* framework is aimed at enhancing the reliability and safety, cutting operation and repair costs as well as increasing the equipment capacity.

*The PCR (Program for Comprehensive Renovation) is a long-term program (to be implemented within the period from 2012 to 2020 with a prospect till 2025) that prescribes the retrofit of RusHydro power generating facilities. 55% of turbines, 42% of generators and 61% of transformers from the entire fleet of RusHydro are to be replaced in total. This will allow to reverse the trend of the equipment fleet ageing, renovate all generating capacities that completed their standard lifetimes, as well as reduce operating costs by reducing the scope of repairs and by process automation. The implementation of the PCR by the moment of its completion will allow to replace the generating equipment with total capacity of 12,618 MW and increase the installed capacity of the Company's facilities by 779 MW. The planned output increase due to the activities held within the Program will amount to 1,375.6 million kWh.