MARION COUNTY, Iowa 4/24/12 (PennWell) -- Voith Hydro has been awarded a contract worth more than $46 million to provide generators and turbines for the 55-MW Red Rock hydroelectric plant.

The facility, which will be built at an existing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers facility on the Des Moines River, is a joint venture between the Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency and Missouri River Energy Services.

"The economic benefits, both through the increased power generation and the direct and indirect jobs during and after construction of the facility, will be significant," says Voith Hydro president Kevin Frank.

As per the contract, Voith Hydro will supply two vertical Kaplan-type turbines and automation systems.

Construction will begin in 2013, with commercial operation expected to begin in 2016.

Voith Hydro also recently shipped a second turbine runner to the 108-MW Holtwood hydroelectric plant in Pennsylvania.