Enguri HPP’s excitation systems and voltage regulators for four generators did not respond properly during Georgia’s nationwide power outages on July 24–25, according to documents submitted by the plant’s management company to the State Procurement Agency. The company said the incident exposed shortcomings in equipment critical to the stability of the power system.
Enguri HPP plans to modernise the excitation systems and voltage regulators of four 260 MW hydro-generators. On October 16, the state-owned company purchased the equipment from Voith Hydro GmbH & Co KG through a simplified procurement procedure worth €560,000. The State Procurement Agency approved the procurement on October 15.
According to the company, the existing systems were installed between 2006 and 2012 and have reached the end of their technical service life. Their platforms have been phased out by the manufacturer, making spare parts difficult to obtain. Enguri HPP said modernisation is necessary before winter, with existing power components retained and control systems replaced with modern digital equipment.
The company argued that Voith Hydro is the only supplier capable of safely upgrading the systems because they are closely integrated with the plant’s turbine controls and other operational systems. Georgia experienced three major power outages during the summer of 2026. The causes of the July 24–25 blackout remain under investigation by the energy regulator and the State Security Service. GNERC Chair Davit Narmania previously said preliminary findings indicated problems with parts of Enguri HPP’s protection systems.
