Photo: HEP
Croatia-based power utility Hrvatska Elektroprivreda (HEP) has contracted the reconstruction of its Varaždin hydropower plant. The project will increase the capacity of the 51-year-old facility by almost 20% and boost operational efficiency and annual production.
HEP’s power production arm HEP Proizvodnja selected Končar for the reconstruction of the generating units at the Varaždin hydropower plant. The contract was signed by the President of the Management Board of HEP Proizvodnja Šime Šimurina and Gordan Kolak, president of the Management Board of Končar.
The agreement is for the development of technical documentation, manufacturing the primary equipment and associated systems for two new generators, and delivering them. The agreed timeline for the works is 53 months, with completion expected in 2030, according to Končar.
In addition to replacing the generating units, covered by the new contract, the project entails the replacement or refurbishment of all other equipment in the machine room and dam, as well as the structures and infrastructure of HPP Varaždin, depending on their condition and in accordance with the current legal and technical requirements.
The reconstruction of the HPP is estimated at EUR 157 million, while the contract with Končar is worth EUR 95.2 million. The combined capacity of each unit would increase from 47 MW to 55 MW. The new turbines are expected to bolster operational efficiency from 86% to 93%.
The endeavor is also aimed at enhancing water flow from 250 cubic meters per second to 275 cubic meters. Together with a rise in total capacity from 94 MW to 110 MW, it is supposed to lift average annual production, currently at 450 GWh, by 6%.
HPP Varaždin’s lifespan to be extended by 50 years
HPP Varaždin is near the city of Varaždin. Its current capacity of 94 MW is the sixth-highest among HEP’s 27 HPPs. Put into operation in 1975, it was the first hydropower plant on the Drava river in Croatia. The other two in cascade are Čakovec and Dubrava.
According to Končar, the reconstruction will extend the facility’s lifespan by at least 50 years.
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