The Democratic Republic of the Congo\u2019s energy infrastructure \u2013 99 percent hydropower — is in desperate need of refurbishment and the 260 MW Nseke hydropower plant is no different. Located on the Lualaba river in the extreme south of the country, Nseke was originally commissioned by GE in 1956 but has been operating at a reduced capacity for some time.<\/p>\n
Not only is this electricity needed for the DRC\u2019s approximately 80 million inhabitants but also to power the critical mining sector which provides most of the country\u2019s export income. The DRC is the world\u2019s largest producer of Cobalt ore and has the world\u2019s second largest copper reserves.<\/p>\n
AS GOOD AS NEW<\/p>\n
GE\u2019s job is to refurbish the plant, getting it back to its original operating condition and output. GE\u2019s scope of work included refurbishing 4 x 65 MW vertical Francis turbine and generator units, balance of plant and hydro-mechanical and lifting equipment.<\/p>\n
GE adapted to Nseke\u2019s remote location by building workshops onsite for machining and generator pole refurbishment, including the capability of safely removing asbestos.<\/p>\n
One of the world\u2019s largest transport aircraft, the Ilyushin Il-76, was called upon to deliver a new 32 ton, 9 m generator shaft that was manufactured and delivered in only ten months, giving new meaning to special delivery.<\/p>\n
The SNEL team has been trained on the new equipment and three of the four units are in operation with the fourth slated to go online in early 2018. NSEKE is another step in the DRC\u2019s path of economic growth.<\/p>\n
Since then, GE signed two additional refurbishment contracts in the DRC for four units at Inga.<\/p>\n