Baixo Sabor - Portugal

The plant consists of two stages: Montante and Jusante both located on the lower course of the Sabor River, a tributary to the Douro in northern Portugal.

The scope of supply for each stage

includes two reversible pump turbines with auxiliary systems, generators, power bus bars, transformers, switch gear, complete automation and control system, and auxiliary equipment for the turbine house. In 2012, ANDRITZ HYDRO assumed also responsibility for the contracted scope of supply and services of Ensulmeci.

The Jusante stage of Baixo Sabor has been in commercial operation since April 2015. Following heavy rainfalls in early 2016, the maximum water level was reached at the Montante stage as well. This made it possible to run the remaining pre-commissioning tests. In February 2016, the Montante stage was also put into commercial operation.

Special challenges of the hydraulic development of this project were the extremely wide operation spectrum in regard to the water head and load at HPP Baixo Sabor Montante, and the use of reversible pump turbines for the unusually low water heads at HPP Baixo Sabor Jusante. With the successful commissioning of both stages, two important references were added to ANDRITZ HYDRO’s list of pump turbine projects.

The Baixo Sabor hydropower facilities with their overall installed capacity of 
190 MW contribute significantly to Portugal’s ambitious goal of increasing the country’s share of renewables to 31% by 2020.

TECHNICAL DATA