N'Seke

N’Seke is remote and neglected hydropower plant operating at reduced capacity. GE’s job is to refurbish the plant, getting it back to its original operating condition and output. GE’s scope of work included refurbishing 4 x 65 MW vertical Francis turbine and generator units, balance of plant and hydro-mechanical and lifting equipment.

GE adapted to Nseke’s remote location by building workshops onsite for machining and generator pole refurbishment, including the capability of safely removing asbestos.
One of the world’s 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.

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.

The N’Seke 2 projects is managed by GE’s Hydro Solutions European teams, including the Grenoble Technology and Engineering centers of Excellence.