Company profile |
Engineering the water transition
Gruner looks back on 100 years of engineering expertise in the water and energy sector. The hydropower and dam engineering know-how – historically bundled under Gruner Stucky – today forms a central pillar of Gruner’s Business Area Energy
AS HYDROPOWER RECLAIMS centre stage in the global energy transition, few engineering consultancies are as closely associated with the sector’s technical evolution as Gruner Stucky Ltd. Founded in Switzerland and built on decades of dam and hydropower engineering expertise, the company has grown into a globally active specialist delivering complex infrastructure in some of the world’s most demanding environments. Now celebrating 100 years of activity, Gruner Stucky Ltd.’s leadership describes the current phase not as a reinvention, but as a natural continuation of a mission that has always revolved around renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure. “Our mission has not fundamentally changed,” says
Sergio Camilletti, Director of Business Area Energy. “We have always focused on sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy. What has evolved is the scale, the integration of new technologies, and the stronger emphasis on the role hydropower plays within wider energy systems.”
Hydropower’s expanding system role While conventional hydropower generation remains
Above: Sergio Camilletti, Director of Business Area Energy, Gruner Stucky Ltd
central to Gruner’s portfolio, Camilletti emphasises that the company increasingly views the technology through the lens of system integration. With wind and solar capacity expanding rapidly worldwide, hydropower’s value as a stabilising force for national grids has never been more important. Pumped storage has also become a strategic growth area. “For us, pumped storage fits naturally into the energy transition,” Camilletti explains. “It connects hydropower to the modern power system and transforms reservoirs into strategic assets for balancing supply and demand.”
Alongside new development, the company sees significant opportunity in extending the operational life of existing infrastructure. Rehabilitation, refurbishment and asset modernisation projects are increasingly prioritised over greenfield construction. “Upgrading existing dams and hydropower plants saves materials, reduces emissions associated with new construction and maximises the value of existing assets,” Camilletti notes. “Brownfield development will be one of the strongest drivers of growth in the coming years.” This approach is particularly relevant in mature hydro
markets, where installed capacity is already high but ageing assets require modern safety systems, upgraded electromechanical equipment and digital monitoring solutions. For Gruner, this provides an opportunity to improve performance while aligning legacy infrastructure with today’s sustainability expectations.
Swiss engineering heritage with
global reach Switzerland’s long hydropower tradition has profoundly
14 February/March 2026 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
shaped Gruner’s technical culture. Alpine topography, complex geology and extreme climatic conditions have historically required innovative dam solutions, particularly in high concrete and arch dam design. This background has positioned the company as a
trusted partner for utilities seeking advanced expertise in dam safety, structural optimisation and rehabilitation. Switzerland itself has become a reference market, with international clients regularly turning to Swiss engineers for specialist know-how in dam heightening and modernisation projects. Today, Gruner combines this heritage with an expanding international footprint. Engineering teams operate across Switzerland, France, Italy, Serbia, Georgia and the Philippines, enabling the company to remain close to project owners while also tapping into broader talent pools. “Being physically present in our clients’ regions
matters,” Camilletti says. “Despite digital collaboration tools, strong on-the-ground engagement remains essential for trust, training and long-term partnerships.” This international operating model allows fully
integrated project teams to work across borders using shared digital platforms, common design environments and unified project management systems. Regardless of geographic location, each project is treated as a single delivery unit, a structure that enables fast decision- making while maintaining technical consistency.
Technical excellence under extreme
conditions Gruner’s reputation has been built on its ability to deliver complex hydropower and dam projects in challenging environments. One of the most prominent recent examples is the replacement of the Spitallamm Dam at the Grimsel reservoir in Switzerland. Located at approximately 2000m above sea level, the project required the construction of a new dam immediately downstream of the existing structure while maintaining continuous reservoir operation. Alpine weather conditions, short construction seasons and logistical constraints added further complexity. To address these challenges, Gruner employed advanced finite element modelling, 3D design tools and staged construction simulations. These digital techniques enabled engineers to optimise dam geometry, assess structural performance and coordinate construction sequencing with unprecedented precision. Beyond engineering complexity, such projects demand close coordination between designers, contractors, plant operators and authorities. Camilletti highlights this collaborative approach as central to the company’s delivery philosophy, ensuring that design intent is maintained throughout construction and commissioning phases.
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