Dnipro 1 , Ukraine

The transport of the first Francis runner for the Dnipro 1 hydropower plant in the Ukraine has taken place in February 2020. After leaving the manufacturing facility of ANDRITZ in Ravensburg, Germany the turbine, which weighs as much as 55 European cars, had to be transported over more than 2,500 km to its destination. The transport was undertaken with heavy consignment trucks to Passau, then further over the Danube River to Romania, over the Black Sea to the harbor of Mykolajiw in the Ukraine, from there only 400 km had to be overcome to the final destination. The turbine is the first out of three for the rehabilitation of Dnipro 1 hydropower plant, the largest in the Urkaine, in order to make the historical power plant fit for the future.

Ukraine’s state-owned PJSC Ukrhydroenergo (UHE) has signed a contract with ANDRITZ for the rehabilitation of three units at its Dnipro 1 hydropower plant. Awarded in late December 2016, this contract sees ANDRITZ become the first European contractor for a large hydro rehabilitation project in Ukraine.

Dnipro 1 on the Dnipro River was originally built in 1932 and has together with Dnipro 2 a total of 18 units and an installed capacity of more than 1,500 MW. After more than 70 years of operation, the existing generation units of Dnipro 1 have to be replaced with new units, providing higher output, efficiency and reliability. ANDRITZ is responsible for the rehabilitation of three Francis turbines and generators – units #1, #2, #3 – including dismantling of the existing equipment and supply, installation, and commissioning of the new units. According to the contract time schedule, the last unit should be finished and commissioned in late 2021.