$7 million turbine repair contract awarded

The Bureau of Reclamation awarded a $7 million contract Aug. 29 to Voith Hydro, Inc. in York, Pennsylvania, to perform turbine repair for Grand Coulee and Hungry Horse dams.

The turbine runners to be serviced have been in operation since the early 1950s. The work requires specialized welding and grinding, and will be completed over the next five years.

“These repairs at Grand Coulee and Hungry Horse dams are essential to maintaining the turbines at these hydropower facilities,” said Regional Director Lorri Lee in a press release. “This work will ensure that these important hydropower units continue to operate well into the future, contributing significantly to the Pacific Northwest power supply.”

Voith is one of the world’s leading suppliers of hydroelectric equipment, technology and services, the USBR said. They are home to one of the world’s largest dedicated hydro turbine equipment manufacturing facilities and are the only turbine manufacturer in the United States with a hydraulic laboratory.

Grand Coulee Dam is a key feature of Reclamation’s Columbia Basin Project which provides both power and irrigation. This project serves irrigation to about 671,000 acres in east central Washington with over 300 miles of main canals. Power generated at the project is marketed by the Bonneville Power Administration.

Hungry Horse Dam stands 564 feet tall and was completed in 1953. It is located on the south fork of the Flathead River, 20 miles northeast of Kalispell, Montana.