Alstom signs €250m supply contract for Grand Renaissance power plant in Ethiopia

French energy solutions provider Alstom has secured a €250m supply contract from Ethiopia-based Metals & Engineering Corporation (METEC) for the supply of eight 375MW turbines and eight generators for the Grand Renaissance dam.

The scope of the contract also includes installations and supervision of all electromechanical equipment for the 3000MW plant in the first phase.

Alstom Renewable Power president Jérome Pécresse remarked that the contract strengthens the company’s foothold in the African hydropower market.

"With the supply of the first high-capacity turbines in a short lead time, Alstom demonstrates its ability to meet the country’s power needs as quickly as possible.

"In Ethiopia, Alstom is already supplying wind turbines for the Ashegoda project and is willing to play a major role in developing Ethiopia’s energy sector, enabling the country to drastically increase its power production capacity and develop local skills," added Pécresse.

Alstom will also offer engineering and power plant commissioning services for the project that are schedule to commence in July 2013 and expected to be staggered over a three-year term.

The project is located on the Blue Nile River and when fully complete will have a total installed capacity of 6,000MW – to be the largest hydropower facility in Africa.

Ethiopia is planning to produce an estimated 35,000MW of power from hydroelectric sources for both internal consumption and export to neighboring countries.