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Saluda River, improving water quality and support-ing aquatic life. “Investing in their replacement will help maintain the facility’s long-term re-liability and, most importantly, continue to safely serve our customers for many years to come,” said Iris Griffin, Dominion Energy’s Vice President of Generation. Saluda, operational since 1930, features five Francis hydropower units and currently pro-duces 206MW of power. The plant originally supported Columbia’s textile industry and pro-vided flood control, water supply, and recreational opportunities. The dam also created Lake Murray, a 48,000-acre reservoir widely used for recreation today. GE Vernova’s work will include engineering,
procurement, construction, and installation of new turbines for Units 1 and 3, along with refurbishing the Unit 3 generator. The retrofit is expected to be completed by 2027. Frederic Ribieras, GE Vernova’s Hydro Power CEO, emphasized the long-term impact: “This project shows that through both electricity generation and water management, hydropow- er can provide many benefits to communities, for a very long time.”
Brazil
ANDRITZ to work on Governador Parigot de Souza plant ANDRITZ has been chosen by Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL) to modernize the Governador Parigot de Souza hydropower plant in Brazil. The project’s financial details have not been disclosed. The upgrade will involve replacing key components, including Pelton turbines, generators, protection valves, and overhead cranes. ANDRITZ will also provide new electrical systems, automation solutions, protection systems, and instrumentation auxiliaries to improve the plant’s efficiency and reliability. This continues a history of collaboration between ANDRITZ and COPEL. Sérgio Gomes, Sales and Marketing Director at ANDRITZ Hydropower, commented: “With our extensive experience and leading-edge technologies, we are setting new standards in the modernization of hydropower plants.” The modernization of Governador Parigot de Souza will be managed by ANDRITZ Hydropower in Brazil, drawing on over 30 years of local experience. Gomes added: “This modernization strengthens Brazil’s clean energy capacity, which relies heavily on hydropower, and supports the country’s ongoing energy transition.”
India
DGPC and Tata Power partner to develop 5000MW clean energy projects Druk Green Power Corporation Ltd. (DGPC) and Tata Power Company Ltd. have signed an agreement to develop 5000MW of clean energy
projects in Bhutan, focusing on hydropower, pumped storage, and solar energy. This partnership aims to enhance regional energy security and accelerate the transition to renewable energy The collaboration is looking to develop 2000MW of hydropower, 2500MW of pumped storage, and 500MW of solar projects. These efforts will ensure a stable energy supply for Bhutan and India, leveraging Bhutan’s hydroelectric potential to meet the region’s growing energy needs. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Bhutan’s Prime Minister, Dasho Tshering Tobgay, and senior officials from both nations. Dr. Praveer Sinha, CEO and MD of Tata Power, stated: “Together, we are building 5000MW of clean energy capacity that will help harness Bhutan’s hydropower potential and support both countries’ growing energy demands with reliable and round-the-clock clean energy supply.” Projects under the partnership will include major hydropower developments such as the 1125MW Dorjilung Hydropower Project and the 1800MW Jeri Pumped Storage Project. Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited will also develop 500MW of solar projects. DGPC’s MD, Dasho Chhewang Rinzin, emphasized the significance of the agreement, saying, “This strategic partnership with Tata Power is in keeping with Bhutan’s aspirations to maximize benefits to the people of Bhutan through fast-tracking the harnessing of its huge renewable energy resources for its economic development and long-term energy security.” The collaboration builds on a longstanding
relationship between the two companies, which began with the development of the 126MW Dagachhu Hydropower Plant in 2008. Tata Power also operates the 1,200km Tala transmission line, supplying clean energy from Bhutan to India. This partnership aligns with Bhutan’s
goal to expand its total generation capacity to 25,000MW by 2040, aiming to diversify beyond traditional hydropower into solar and geothermal energy.
Scotland Koehler Renewable Energy acquires Pitnacree plant Koehler Renewable Energy has expanded its renewable energy portfolio by acquiring the Pitnacree hydropower plant in Scotland through its UK subsidiary. The acquisition was finalized on November 1, 2024. The Pitnacree plant, located on the Pitnacree
Estate near Pitlochry, has been operational since December 2015. It has an installed capacity of 300kW and operates with 82% efficiency at a maximum flow rate of 236 liters per second. The plant plays a key role in the region’s renewable energy infrastructure. Alan Mathewson, Director of Koehler
Renewable Energy UK, commented on the acquisition: “With this acquisition of the Pitnacree hydropower plant, we’re continuing on our growth trajectory in the area of renewable energy. The acquisition is not just boosting our portfolio in Scotland, but is also clearly in line with our goal of making an important contribution to a sustainable and carbon-neutral future.” This is the latest in a series of investments by
Koehler Renewable Energy in the UK. Earlier in 2024, the company acquired six other hydropower plants in Scotland, demonstrating its commitment to increasing renewable energy production. The acquisition aligns with Koehler’s “2030
Koehler Promise,” which aims for the company to generate more renewable energy than it consumes in its paper production operations by 2030. Nicolas Christoph, Head of Wind Power, Solar, Hydro & Business Development at Koehler Renewable Energy, emphasized the company’s mission: “We’re proud of making a positive change in the industry with our investments in hydropower and other renewable energy sources while simultaneously securing a stable and environmentally friendly energy future for the Koehler Group.”
India AFRY to design Greenko’s Shahpur pumped storage project AFRY has been selected to provide detailed design engineering for Greenko’s 1800MW Shahpur pumped storage hydropower project in Rajasthan. Greenko Group, a leading renewable energy company in India, manages 7.5GW of clean en-ergy assets spanning solar, wind, and hydroelectric projects. The company focuses on large-scale integrated renewable projects that combine power generation with advanced storage solutions. The Shahpur project is expected to play a key role in storing and distributing clean energy efficiently across the region, supporting India’s renewable energy infrastructure. AFRY’s responsibilities on the Shahpur pumped storage project include detailed design work, construction supervision, and on-site engineering support through a resident engineer. “This is a landmark moment for the renewable
energy development in the region, and we are proud to be confirmed as Greenko’s trusted partner for this new project – a testament to our team’s expertise and dedication in accelerating the energy transition, demonstrated in pre-vious collaborations,” said Sai Seela, Managing Director of AFRY India. Greenko previously developed the Pinnapuram project, one of the world’s largest integrated renewable energy storage systems, featuring solar, wind, and pumped hydro elements. AFRY served as the principal design consultant for that pumped storage plant.
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