Reclamation awards $19 million contract for pump-generating plant upgrades at dam

The Bureau of Reclamation awarded a $19 million contract to replace and upgrade two pump-generating units at Grand Coulee Dam, the bureau announced Monday in a press release.

The contract awarded Aug. 11 to American Hydro, of York, Pennsylvania, calls for replacing and updating equipment for pump generating units 5 and 6 at the John W. Keys III Pump Generating Plant.

“This effort is pivotal to the infrastructure modernization at the Keys Plant,” said Reclamation Commissioner Estevan López. “The pump units will provide greater efficiency, flexibility and capacity in hydropower production and water delivery.”

Construction will take place over the next two years while accommodating for irrigation demand. It is scheduled to be finished by January 2020.

The work continues a 20-year modernization effort at the plant, the Bureau said. The project is funded through Bonneville Power Administration, South Columbia Basin Irrigation District, Quincy Columbia Basin Irrigation District, East Columbia Basin Irrigation District and Congressional appropriations.

American Hydro is a leading supplier and installer of large equipment for the hydroelectric and water distribution industries, specializing in design, manufacture, upgrades and servicing of high-performance hydro-turbines and pumps, the Bureau said.