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installation of two variable-speed pump turbines, each rated at 70MW, along with associated motor generators. The new units are intended to increase both pumping and generation capacity at the Grimsel site and support grid stability and renewable energy integration. The award represents the first major new-build contract between Voith and KWO. The company said its competitive offer and a technical concept based on a tested hydraulic design were key factors in securing the order, reducing technical risk and supporting project delivery. “Grimsel 4 is an important step in further developing our storage capacity and strengthening system flexibility. Voith’s technically convincing solution and the constructive collaboration throughout the tender phase were key factors in our decision. We look forward to continuing the partnership during project execution,” said Ueli Gasser, Project Manager for Electromechanical Installations at Grimsel 4 at Kraftwerke Oberhasli AG. “We are proud to support Kraftwerke Oberhasli AG with the Grimsel 4 project and further expand our footprint in Switzerland. The close collaboration throughout the tender phase laid a strong foundation, and we look forward to continuing this partnership during project execution,” added Aleksandar Glamoclija, Key Account Manager Germany at Voith Hydro.
Grimsel 4 forms part of Switzerland’s
broader push to expand flexible energy storage capacity as renewable generation increases. For Voith, the project strengthens its position in the Swiss hydropower market. KWO, founded in 1925, operates 13
hydroelectric plants and eight reservoirs, producing between 2,200 and 2,400 GWh of electricity annually. The company supplies both base-load and peak-load power and plays a role in grid stability in Switzerland and across Europe.
India
ANDRITZ to supply equipment for Saidongar-1 Karjat ANDRITZ has won a contract to supply electromechanical equipment for the Saidongar-1 Karjat pumped storage project in India, as the country scales up energy storage to support growing renewable generation. The company will deliver ten pump turbine units and associated systems for the project, being developed by Torrent Power through its subsidiary Torrent Energy Storage Solutions Private Limited. The 3000MW Saidongar-1 Karjat facility,
located in Maharashtra, is expected to be India’s largest pumped storage plant. It is projected to generate 6,241 GWh annually and cut carbon dioxide emissions. ANDRITZ’s scope includes the design, manufacture, installation, testing and
commissioning of reversible pump turbines, motor-generators and related equipment. Execution will draw on the company’s manufacturing base in India and its global operations. Torrent Power said the project represents a major step in its clean energy strategy and will help enable round-the-clock renewable power while strengthening energy security and sustainability in India. India is expanding pumped storage capacity to balance variable generation from solar and wind and to improve grid stability. ANDRITZ said the contract reinforces its position in India’s hydropower market, where it is currently involved in seven pumped storage projects. This is the first order awarded to the company by Torrent Power.
India GE Vernova completes Tehri pumped storage project GE Vernova has announced the full completion of the Tehri Pumped Storage Hydropower Project in India, marking a major milestone for the country’s power sector and significantly enhancing its energy storage and grid balancing capabilities. Delivered for THDC India Limited, the
project comprises four 250MW variable speed pumped storage units, contributing a total of 1GW of renewable energy and storage capacity to the national grid. With the new units now operational, the Tehri Hydropower Complex has reached a total installed capacity of 2.4GW, making it currently the largest hydropower complex in India. The scheme is also the first in the country
to deploy variable speed pumped storage technology, a development expected to improve operational flexibility, strengthen grid stability and support the integration of variable renewable energy sources. Frédéric Ribieras, CEO of GE Vernova’s
Hydro Power business, described the project as both a technical and human achievement. “There is always something special about seeing these gigantic projects come to life – projects that have been engineered, planned, and worked on by so many people over so many years,” he said on Linkedin. Ribieras added that the completion reflects “the dedication, expertise, and perseverance” of the teams involved in delivering the four units, highlighting the scale and complexity of the undertaking.
He emphasised the broader importance of
the project for India’s energy transition, noting that while Tehri is significant for GE Vernova’s business, its national impact is even greater. “As India continues to expand its renewable
energy mix, the need for flexible, reliable, and responsive power infrastructure becomes even more critical. Tehri will help strengthen grid stability, support peak power management, and enable greater integration of renewable energy,” he said.
Pumped storage hydropower is increasingly
recognised as a key enabler of low-carbon energy systems, offering large-scale storage and rapid response capabilities. The addition of variable speed technology further enhances performance by allowing more precise control of power output and efficiency. Ribieras concluded by praising the teams behind the project and the collaborative effort required to bring it to fruition. “I’m proud of what our team has accomplished and proud to see such a magnificent project come to life. Congratulations to everyone involved in bringing this landmark achievement to completion.”
Turkey
Sultansuyu Dam returns to full capacity after major post- earthquake rehabilitation The Sultansuyu Dam in Malatya, Turkey, has resumed full-capacity operations following extensive rehabilitation works undertaken after the devastating 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, according to official statements and industry sources. The project, led by national authorities and highlighted by TRCOLD, involved an investment of approximately TRY 465 million to repair and strengthen the structure, which had sustained damage during the February 2023 seismic events. In a statement, Agriculture and Forestry
Minister İbrahim Yumaklı confirmed that the dam is now fully operational again. “This facility… will continue to contribute 2 billion Turkish Lira annually to our country’s economy,” he said, noting its importance for regional agriculture. The Sultansuyu Dam is a zoned embankment dam with a clay core, standing 60m high from its foundation and extending 721.25m along its crest. Its restoration reinstates irrigation services across approximately 11,665 hectares of farmland, a critical lifeline for agricultural productivity in the Malatya region. According to TRCOLD, the rehabilitation included comprehensive strengthening measures designed not only to restore the dam’s integrity but also to improve its resilience against future seismic events. The organisation described the project as a valuable reference case for post-earthquake dam safety evaluation and rehabilitation practices. The reopening marks a significant
milestone in Türkiye’s broader recovery efforts following the 2023 earthquakes, which caused widespread infrastructure damage across southern regions. With irrigation flows restored and economic contributions projected at around TRY 2 billion annually, the dam’s return to service is expected to provide both immediate and long-term benefits to the regional economy.
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