Chelan PUD & GE Renewable Energy Collaborate for Rock Island Dam Powerhouse II Modernization

Chelan PUD commissioners recently approved an agreement with GE Renewable Energy for a rebuilding effort at the Rock Island Powerhouse II. The collaboration includes GE Renewable Energy rebuilding the 42 year old turbines in the Powerhouse.

"This has been years in the making. We're really excited to reach this agreement with GE Renewable Energy because it achieves a higher standard of quality and innovation," said Rachel Hansen, Senior Communications Strategist.

Each of the eight turbines will be rebuilt one by one, starting in 2022 with the completion expected in 2030. The cost of the project is $210 million.

"That is a big investment for us to ensure that Chelan County will have renewable hydropower energy and those benefits will return to Chelan County for generations," said Hansen. "They (GE Renewable Energy) have ensured the quality and the long term value of these turbines by giving us an extended correction period."

An extended correction period serves as a form of a warranty, with GE Renewable Energy agreeing to fix anything that should go wrong. The extended correction period will last 10 years, when typically the standard warranty for hydroelectric turbines is two years.