Alstom to build first pumped storage power plant in Israel

Alstom has secured a €120m contract with PSP Investment to build the first 300MW pumped storage power plant in Gilboa, Israel, marking the company’s entry into the Israeli hydro market.

As part of the contract, the company will supply two 150MW pump-turbines and Alstom’s Distributed Control System (DCS).

In addition, it will provide operation & maintenance (O&M) for a 18-year period, which covers day-to-day operation and maintenance of the power plant.

Located 60km east of Haifa, the power plant, which will be commissioned in 2018, is claimed to increase the country’s installed power generation capacity by 2.5%.

During the off-peak hours, the pumped storage will transfer water to a high storage reservoir, using energy from other power stations to generate electricity later to cover temporary peaks, which help lower operational costs of power production.

Alstom Renewable Power president Jérôme Pécresse said, “This contract demonstrates Alstom’s commitment to supporting the Israeli energy market, providing solutions for renewable and clean energy sources.

“This order further reinforces Alstom’s leading position on hydro pumped storage power market, and our capability to propose to our customers a complete offer from equipment to services.”