By DAVID BERTOLA
dbertola@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1621

The New York Power Authority's board of trustees awarded a nine-year, $10.9 million contract to Eaton Corp. of LeRoy to support the refurbishing and modernizing of the Niagara Power Project's Lewiston Pump Generating Plant.

Eaton was awarded the contract as part of NYPA's Life Extension and Modernization program at the plant. The contract will include the design, manufacturing, delivery, installation and commission of 12 unit control boards and governor controls, part of the plant's control system integration project.

Specifically, the original electro-mechanical devices will be replaced with modern digital technology, including microprocessing capability, new instrumentation and alarms. The work will include upgrading the unit governing system and replacement of the unit's protective relaying system.

The unit work will occur under a schedule providing for the overhaul of a turbine generator every eight to nine months, with the final unit completed in 2020. The phase-in schedule provides for 11 of the 12 units to be in operation during the Life Extension and Modernization program so that NYPA can meet its commitments to customers.