EES began the work in 2012, which included the rehabilitation of two turbine groups and the complete replacement of the third group. The project raises Gondo's cumulative output by about 12 MW, giving the facility a new capacity of 57 MW.
In addition to upgrading the generating equipment, EES also installed new control units and governors that allow the facility to be operated from a centralized location in nearby Lausanne. Indar successfully delivered its vertical generator set rated 23 MW at 600 rpm. "The modernization has also increased the flexibility of the power plant, which can now also supply primary control power and reactive power to the national grid operator, Swissgrid," said utility Alpiq, which holds an 82% majority in EES. "Thus, the power plant also contributes towards regulating the electricity grid and ensuring Switzerland's security of supply." This US$22.8 million project was paid by EES shareholders Alpiq, EnAlpin, EnBAG, FMV and others.