ENGIE Brasil Energia and Andritz Hydro Brazil have signed an agreement for the modernization of the Jaguara Hydropower Plant, situated in Rifaina, state of São Paulo. With 424 MW of installed capacity, the plant has been operational since 1971 and was incorporated into ENGIE’s generator park in 2017, following the Company’s winning bid in a Federal Government auction.

The agreement includes the modernization of four generator units each with a capacity of 106 MW, generators, turbines, speed and tension governors, digital control and supervision system, a protection system, and all related auxiliary systems. The initiative underscores ENGIE’s commitment to the operation and maintenance of its assets, the Company representing a benchmark in the domestic electricity sector in this respect. The modernization program will extend the useful life and reliability of the plant, also enhancing operational safety aspects and asset uptime, the concession terminating only in 2048.

The agreement between ENGIE and Andritz provides for the execution of the work over four years (2025-2028) and represents a component part of the project for modernizing the hydropower plants comprising ENGIE Brasil Energia’s portfolio. “The hydropower modernization program constitutes an important part of the Company’s investments. This modernization process focusses on the improvement of plant operational efficiency, acting preventively to mitigate operational risks and those involving the O&M teams, as well as minimizing faults that may result in interruptions to the asset’s operations”, comments Jose Laydner, Chief Operations Officer at ENGIE Brasil Energia.

The agreement expands the partnership between the companies. Andritz Hydro Brazil has already provided maintenance services at plants such as Itá, Machadinho, Miranda and at the Jaguara Plant, with the modernization of the GU1 generator unit and already underway. “This is the largest agreement Hydro Brasil has signed to date for a single modernization project of a hydropower plant and we are proud that it is with one of the largest hydropower generators in Brazil. It is an agreement that consolidates Andritz as a leading player in the Brazilian hydroelectric market” says Dieter Hopf, CEO of Andritz Brasil.

“Hydropower plants play a critical role in the Brazilian energy matrix and are essential in the progress of the energy transition as well as the country’s energy security. As leaders in renewable energy in Brazil, our role is to establish partnerships such as this one with Andritz, modernizing our plants and ensuring availability to the National Grid”, observes Eduardo Sattamini, Chief Executive and Investor Relations Officer at ENGIE Brasil Energia.