Engie, a multi-national electric utility company, has confirmed that the first phases of refurbishment works at Ffestiniog Power Station — part of the 2GW First Hydro pumped-storage operation in Wales — have been completed (www.engie.co.uk).

The £50 million programme involves replacing two 90MW generating units (Units 1 and 2) with new units that will have
an operational life of at least 20 years.

By last month, both original units had been disassembled, providing access to the lower bearings and turbine; this revealed substantial corrosion.

In addition, one of the two 200m-deep vertical hydraulic shafts is being refurbished, a new 2.7km power supply to the upper reservoir has been installed, and safety systems have been upgraded.

Alongside these works, 60-year old control desks have been removed, in readiness for the installation of new control systems that will put Ffestiniog at the leading edge of on-line diagnostics and condition monitoring.

The next phases include testing the main inlet valves and pressure relief valves, installing more power cables and refurbishing additional areas of the hydraulic shaft.

The contract agreed with German engineering firm Voith Hydro covers the refurbishment of Units 1 and 2, plus an option for the refurbishment of Units 3 and 4 at a later date.