Voith Hydro, a company dealing with hydro power equipment, has obtained a contract to deliver turbines and generators for the Red Rock Hydroelectric Project (RRHP), which will be constructed on the Des Moines River close to Pella in Iowa.
The construction work of the project will start in 2013 and is anticipated to be fully operational by 2016. The plant will be generating 36 MW of power and during peak seasons, it will generate up to 55 MW of power. The project will generate dispatchable power, which can be turned on or off depending on the power demand.
The Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (WMMPA) and Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) have partnered to develop this project.
During the construction period, the project will offer financial benefits worth up to $250 million for Iowa. Furthermore, about 448 direct and indirect jobs will be created and during peak period of construction in 2014, the jobs will be increased to 732.
As per the contract, Voith’s York, PA facility will supply two vertical Kaplan type turbines, automation systems and generators to the RRHP.
According to the CEO and President of the company, Kevin Frank, clean and efficient hydroelectric power will be provided to MRES customers residing in the upper Midwest region.
WMMPA, a joint-action agency, consists of MRES members from the Minnesota State. It has offered financial support to key power production and distribution units.
Voith Hydro is a division of Voith, which is a pioneer in oil & gas, energy, transportation and automotive and raw materials market sectors.