The first unit of the Orlik power plant re-launched for the first time since last year´s floods

The first out of four units of the Orlik hydropower plant was put into controlled operation, following over a year of inactivity. Most of the hydropower plants of the Vltava Cascade had to be put out of operation after last year´s devastating floods, and Orlik and Stechovice plants were the most seriously damaged ones. The Orlik powerhouse therefore had to go through a complex overhaul. After 16 months of a forced inactivity, the largest and most significant power plant of the Vltava Cascade began generating electricity again (output of 4 x 91 MW) .

"The most serious problem of the Orlik re-launch was the condition of the plant generators, namely the stator winding. Despite all efforts the winding could not be dried up to meet the required parameters and the entire winding had to be replaced," says Ales Tomec, the Director of the CEZ Hydropower Section. New winding of the re-launched generator was supplied and replaced by EZ Praha, a company belonging to the VA-TECH concern. The company managed to produce, install and deliver the machinery in appropriate quality and within a record time period.

The Orlik plant is awaiting another significant milestone at the beginning of February 2004, when the second unit should also be put into operation. The repairs of the remaining two generator units will be finalised in the second half of 2004, which would mean the completion of not only the Orlik plant, but of the entire Vltava Cascade. Next year will also see the re-launch of the last damaged unit of the Stechovice hydropower plant and the 2002 floods will finally become history.

Total costs resulting from the damage last years floods inflicted on CEZ-operated power plants exceeded 0.5 billion CZK.

Ladislav Kriz, CEZ Press Officer

19. 12. 2003