A modernized hydropower plant no. 4 with a modernized hydro generator was put into operation at the Cheboksarskaya power plant, RusHydro reported on October 5, 2020. As part of RusHydro’s comprehensive modernization program (PCM), nine of the station’s 18 generators have already been modernized.

As part of the upgrade, a new generator stator from the Russian Power Machines Group was installed, which improved performance. The automatic control of the hydraulic unit has also been improved and the hydraulic turbine overhauled. Specialists from RusHydro’s subsidiary, JSC Gidroremont-VKK carried out the installation.

The modernization of the hydroelectric power station of the Cheboksary power plant is continuing. At present, the stator and tachogenerator of hydro generator no. 6 are being replaced. A large-scale reconstruction has been started at hydropower plant no. 9, which will replace the stator, the tachogenerator, and the iron rotor of the generator-rotor field and convert the hydroturbine to a rotor blade device.

Today, turbines for 15 of the 18 hydraulic units were rebuilt at the Cheboksary hydropower plant, with stators, tachogenerators, and the iron rims of generator rotors replaced for nine of the units. The annual work plan received approval from the Single Energy System operator and did not restrict the supply of electricity to consumers.

Cheboksarskaya HPP (hydropower plant) is located on the Volga river and is part of the Volga-Kama cascade. It is the largest power station in Chuvashia. The capacity of the Cheboksary nuclear power plant is 1,370 MW with an average annual electricity production of 2.1 billion kWh.

RusHydro is implementing a comprehensive hydropower modernization program, which is intended to replace half of the fleet of turbines, generators, and transformers at RusHydro’s hydropower plants and PSPs (Pumping Station Plants). Such a large-scale program to rehabilitate outdated and worn-out facilities is unique and unprecedented for the domestic energy sector. What makes it special is that it does not focus on the selective replacement of individual components and assemblies, but on a comprehensive modernization of production facilities as individual technological complexes with the replacement or reconstruction of main and auxiliary facilities, general station systems, and hydraulic structures.

Since the introduction of PCM, 105 hydraulic turbines, 84 generators, 69 power transformers, and more than 5,000 units of auxiliary and electrical equipment have been replaced and converted. Hence, the capacity of RusHydro’s modernized hydropower plants increased by 437.5 MW.