Cooperation between Voith and CNR in France: new Vallabrègues small hydropower plant of CNR will soon supply another 15,000 homes with renewable energy
Voith's cooperation with the French energy company Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR) continues with a new Vallabrègues small hydropower contract.
The new Vallabrègues small hydropower plant will have a positive impact on French renewable electricity generation. Copyright: CNR.
- Important milestone for the development of small hydropower in France
- Voith wins order for the supply and installation of a vertical Kaplan turbine with 8.6 MW as well as the entire electrical and hydromechanical equipment
- As a full-range supplier for small hydropower, Voith offers a comprehensive service package for CNR
The state-of-the-art plant will generate 8.6 MW of installed power. The total project duration is approximately four years, with connection to the power grid scheduled for mid-2024. The decisive factor for the renewed cooperation was, among other factors, the very good partnership for the 6.6 MW Le Pouzin small hydropower plant, which was commissioned in 2017.
The new small hydropower plant will be located near the city of Avignon on the Rhone River and will be equipped with the most advanced electrotechnical equipment. Voith Hydro in Spain will be the complete supplier responsible for the entire project execution, including the design and supply of the vertical Kaplan turbine as well as the electrical and hydromechanical equipment.
Frank Buchert, Sales Manager Small Hydro at Voith Hydro in Spain, explains, "The small hydropower plant is another important step for the region around Avignon, as the construction of Vallabrègues will further promote the development of renewable energy in France."
Despite the strict travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the complete contract negotiations were successfully conducted digitally. This approach will continue to be important during the construction work already underway to achieve the goals set together with the customer.
About the Vallabrègues small hydropower plant The commune of Vallabrègues is located in the south of France, in the Occitanie region, directly on the Rhone River. Vallabrègues is the fifth new small hydropower plant on the Rhone River built by CNR, the first French provider of 100% renewable energy. The energy group intends to promote and continue the development and installation of small hydropower plants in the future.
Voith Hydro has already successfully implemented many different hydropower projects in France, including modernization projects on the Rhine at Ottmarsheim, in the Alps at Hermillon, and in central France at Marèges.
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