VA Tech Transmission and Distribution has won two contracts worth E39 million for equipment for the planned Immingham combined heat and power plant in Lincolnshire. The 730 MW plant is being built next to Conoco’s Humberside refinery at South Killingholme. It will supply steam and power to the Conoco refinery, steam to the neighbouring Lindsey Oil refinery and power to the UK grid. VA Tech will design, supply and install an eight bay, indoor 400 kV gas insulated switchgear substation under its first contract, worth around E32 million. A second contract, worth E6.5 million, covers the supply of four generator step-up transformers, two rated at 335 MVA, 400/15.75 kV and two at 135 MVA, 400/15.75 kV. The plant is due to be completed in 2003.
Scottish and Southern Energy has awarded a contract for the refurbishment of three hydropower stations to VA Tech Hydro. The stations, Gaur, Aigas, and Kilmorack, are all located in the Scottish Highlands near Inverness. The modernisation is intended to increase output at Gaur by 12 per cent and improve efficiency at the two other plants by 5 per cent. Under the terms of the deal, turbine runners will be replaced at all three plants – a Francis turbine at Gaur and Kaplan units of self-lubricating design at Aigas and Kilmorack. The refurbishment will also cover guide vanes, governor oil plants, generator stators and new brushless exciter machines. Medium and low voltage switchgear will also be replaced. Completion is scheduled for end-2003.
