| Refurbishment
how refurbishment can serve as a catalyst for capacity expansion while addressing long-term maintenance challenges. The scheme also reflects growing demand for higher-capacity, flexible assets capable of supporting increasingly renewable-heavy grids.
Central and Western Europe upgrades In Central Europe, refurbishment efforts are focused on
ensuring the continued reliability of critical infrastructure while enhancing performance. At the Slapy hydropower plant, CEZ Group has completed a major modernisation programme that included the replacement of a 45-ton inlet valve, a component that had been in continuous operation for decades. The complexity of the installation, carried out deep within the plant’s structure, underscores the engineering challenges associated with upgrading ageing assets. However, the benefits are substantial: improved safety, enhanced efficiency and an extended operational lifespan. The project forms part of a broader programme targeting multiple plants within the Vltava cascade, highlighting a system-wide approach to refurbishment that maximises returns across interconnected assets. In the Netherlands, refurbishment is closely linked
to environmental restoration. Authorities including the Municipality of Oss are implementing upgrades to fish ladders along the Meuse River, addressing the ecological impact of water infrastructure. At Lith weir, the construction of an additional fish passage will improve accessibility for migrating species, particularly under variable flow conditions. These initiatives illustrate how hydropower
refurbishment is increasingly being shaped by environmental regulations and sustainability goals. By integrating ecological enhancements into infrastructure upgrades, operators are contributing to broader efforts to restore river ecosystems while maintaining essential water management functions. Such projects also demonstrate how relatively small interventions can deliver significant ecological benefits when implemented at scale.
Asia’s capacity and reliability drive In Asia, refurbishment programmes are playing a key role
in meeting growing energy demand while maximising the output of existing assets. In Pakistan, the Water and Power Development Authority is leading an extensive refurbishment of the Mangla hydropower station, one of the country’s most important energy assets. Supported by international financing from organisations such as the United States Agency for International Development and Agence Française de Développement, the project aims to increase installed capacity by more than 30%. By refurbishing generating units in stages, WAPDA is able to maintain continuous operation, ensuring that electricity supply is not disrupted during the upgrade process. The project also reflects a broader strategy to enhance hydropower’s contribution to Pakistan’s energy mix, reducing reliance on imported fuels and improving energy security. Increased annual generation will provide significant economic and environmental benefits, reinforcing the value of refurbishment as a cost-effective alternative to new construction. Importantly, the approach taken at Mangla demonstrates how large, complex facilities can be upgraded without full shutdown, an increasingly important consideration in power systems with limited reserve capacity.
In India, the modernisation of the Umiam–Umtru Stage
III hydropower plant is being carried out for Meghalaya Power Generation Corporation Limited by ANDRITZ Hydro. The project involves the installation of advanced electromechanical components, including a large generator stator and upgraded valve systems. The logistical challenges of working in a remote and constrained site have required innovative solutions, including the use of heavy-lift cranes and pre-assembled components. These efforts highlight the importance of careful planning and engineering expertise in delivering successful refurbishment projects in challenging environments. More broadly, the project reflects a growing emphasis in India on optimising existing hydropower assets to complement expanding renewable capacity.
Americas:
longevity and digital transformation In North America, refurbishment is increasingly focused on integrating digital technologies to enhance asset performance. The New York Power Authority has partnered with ANDRITZ to upgrade the Niagara power project, including the installation of new generator stators at the Robert Moses Power Plant. This long-term programme aims to modernise one of
the largest hydropower facilities in the US, ensuring its continued contribution to renewable energy generation. By incorporating advanced monitoring and control systems, the project will enable more efficient operation and improved maintenance planning, reducing downtime and extending asset life. The scale and duration of the programme underline the complexity of upgrading large hydropower assets while maintaining continuous operation. In Brazil, AXIA Energia is undertaking a similar transformation at the Itumbiara hydropower plant, also in collaboration with ANDRITZ. The replacement of automation systems and turbine controls will enhance operational reliability while addressing the challenges of ageing equipment. Increasingly, such upgrades are also incorporating cybersecurity features, reflecting the growing importance of protecting critical energy infrastructure. Canada’s experience at the Taltson hydro facility underscores the importance of maintenance and repair in sustaining operations. The Northwest Territories Power Corporation, supported by Gygax Engineering Associates Ltd. and owned by NT Hydro under the Government of the Northwest Territories, successfully
www.waterpowermagazine.com | May 2026 | 27
Above: The Itumbiara hydropower plant on the border between the Brazilian states of Goiás and Minas Gerais. Image courtesy of ANDRITZ
Below: Rotor lifting at Robert Moses Power Plant. © New York Power Authority, 2026; Photographer Philip Kamrass
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