Benesov, Czech Republic – 12 August 2004 - Mavel, a.s., a Czech engineering and manufacturing firm producing turbines and related technology for small hydroelectric power plants, announced that it has received an order from EFACEC Engenharia, S.A. to provide technology for the Infernos hydroelectric power plant just outside Porto, Portugal. The plant, which is owned by the firm Textil Manuel Gancalves, S.A., has head of 6.2 meters and flow of 19 m3/s.

Mavel will install a Vertical Kaplan type KVK 1900K4 with speed of 187.5 rpm and expected output of 1019 kW. Mavel will also provide trash racks, cleaning machines, gates, generator and hydraulic systems. EFACEC will provide the complete electric and control system.

The Inferno plant had been utilizing two Francis turbines with total power output of 450 kW. These turbines were installed at the beginning of the last century and had individual power outputs of 300 kW and 150 kW.

Mavel’s production program for the new Kaplan technology began in May and commissioning is planned for March 2005.

Mavel noted that this is the company’s second project in the region of Portos. In 2000, the greenfield Moinhos plant was commissioned using one Mavel Horizontal Spiral Francis Turbine. This turbine has a speed of 1000 rpm and output of 883 kW. The site has head of 77.5 meters and flow of 1.3 m3/s. The Customer for the Moinhos plant was Mini-Hydrica De Senihorim, Lda.

Mavel a.s. provides engineering and all technology, including Kaplan, Francis and Pelton turbines, for hydroelectric power plants from 2 kW to 20 MW. The company has installed over 225 turbines worldwide in the past ten years.