Bulb hydro units up to 65 MW
Bulb hydro units for low-head HPPs on lowland rivers, including at navigation hydro schemes. Heads from 2 to 27.3 m, rating up to 65 MW, 78 units supplied to 23 power plants. Manufactured in Harbin (China).
- Power
- up to 65 MW (the highest in Asia)
- Head
- 2–27.3 m
- Deliveries
- 78 units for 23 HPPs
- Export
- Phu Tan II 3×31 MW (Vietnam, 2023); Phu Tan I 3×15 MW (contract 2025)
Price, availability and lead time on request. We help with analogue selection, customs clearance and delivery.
Description
Bulb (horizontal tubular) hydro units are intended for low-head HPPs on lowland rivers, including at navigation hydro schemes. They are manufactured by the works in Harbin (China), one of three power engineering works founded in the city in 1951. According to the manufacturer, the large hydro units of this works account for about half of the installed capacity of China's hydropower plants, and in total hydro equipment has been supplied to 369 stations with a total capacity of 134 GW.
The hydrogenerator is housed in a streamlined bulb in the flow passage, coaxially with the runner. This reduces the size of the HPP building and raises efficiency at low heads and large flows. The units are produced for heads from 2 to 27.3 m with a rating of up to 65 MW, which according to the manufacturer is the highest rating in Asia for this type. 78 units have been supplied to 23 power plants. The bulb layout suits stations with a low head and large water flows where a compact building is important.
Overseas projects include the Phu Tan II HPP on the Dong Nai River (Vietnam). Three bulb units of 31 MW each were designed and supplied by the manufacturer and were commissioned in the second half of 2023. In September 2025 the manufacturer signed with the same customer company a contract for three bulb units of 15 MW each for the Phu Tan I HPP, which continues the cascade development of the river.
The units are supplied complete with excitation, speed control and automation systems. Detailed technical characteristics of individual frame sizes are not available in the materials and are clarified for a specific project.
Technical specifications
| Power | up to 65 MW (the highest in Asia) |
|---|---|
| Head | 2–27.3 m |
| Deliveries | 78 units for 23 HPPs |
| Export | Phu Tan II 3×31 MW (Vietnam, 2023); Phu Tan I 3×15 MW (contract 2025) |
Request a price and lead time
Bulb hydro units up to 65 MW. We reply within one business day.
Or email sales@usk.ua or call 044 339-50-20.
Questions and answers
What is the maximum rating of bulb units?
Up to 65 MW for heads from 2 to 27.3 m. According to the manufacturer, this is the highest rating in Asia for bulb units.
Where do bulb units operate abroad?
At the Phu Tan II HPP on the Dong Nai River (Vietnam), where three units of 31 MW each were commissioned in the second half of 2023. A contract for three units of 15 MW was signed in September 2025 for the Phu Tan I HPP.
Which HPPs are bulb hydro units intended for?
For low-head HPPs on lowland rivers, including at navigation hydro schemes. In total 78 units have been supplied to 23 power plants.
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