Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 12, ANDRITZ has been awarded a significant contract by Alperia Greenpower Srl to fully rehabilitate the Pracomune pumped storage hydropower plant, located in South Tyrol, Italy. The plant is situated near Santa Valburga, in the Val d’Ultimo valley, and is an integral part of a network of six interconnected hydropower facilities. The facility operates between the Quaira and Fontana Bianca reservoirs, using a ternary unit capable of both turbine and pump modes, adapting to water availability and grid demands.

The plant’s current unit, installed in the 1960s, includes a 40MW horizontal Francis turbine, a 43 MVA synchronous motor-generator, and a 37MW multistage horizontal pump. The contract tasks ANDRITZ with replacing several key components, including the turbine, spherical valves, motor-generator, electrical and mechanical auxiliaries, and automation systems. The existing pump will also undergo a major refurbishment.

This project will involve a comprehensive scope of work, including design, manufacturing, transport, installation, and commissioning of the new systems. The upgraded turbine will see its output increase to 42.5MW, and the motor-generator will be upgraded to 45 MVA. This upgrade will enhance the overall performance of the plant, boosting both its generation capacity and pump efficiency.

The on-site work is scheduled to begin in May 2026 and is expected to be completed by February 2027. The project will be carried out under challenging weather conditions and within a tight timeline, emphasizing the technical complexity and careful planning required.

In addition to this project, ANDRITZ recently announced another major contract to supply electromechanical equipment for a new run-of-river hydropower plant at Traunfall, which will replace three existing plants in the area—Gschröff, Siebenbrunn, and Traunfall—some of which have been operational since the late 19th century. These projects further highlight ANDRITZ's continued role in advancing renewable energy solutions globally.