| Refurbishment


also coordinate the integration of the expansion with ongoing renovations at the existing power station. The Sigalda expansion, along with the 95MW Hvammsvirkjun project, which COWI is also designing, will help meet Iceland’s growing energy demand and support key industries such as seafood, agriculture, and manufacturing. “Once completed, the 215MW plant will add increased


flexibility in energy supply and enable Landsvirkjun to better meet peak demand. By making better use of the increased water flow, Landsvirkjun is fulfilling its role of maximising the yield of the energy resources entrusted to the company, with sustainable utilisation, value creation, and efficiency as guiding principles,” said Eysteinn Einarsson, Project Manager at Landsvirkjun. Sverrir Ó. Elefsen, Technical Lead for Hydropower at COWI Iceland, emphasised the company’s expertise in the sector. “COWI’s success in winning the contract demonstrates the level of hydropower experience of the COWI group and how combining the company’s strengths adds value for our customers. We are also using ample experience from Iceland to create hydropower solutions and secure sustainable energy in other parts of the world as well.” The existing 150MW Sigalda Hydropower Station, operational since 1978, generates 920GWh annually. Its infrastructure includes the Sigalda Dam, the 14km2


Krókslón reservoir, and a 550m tailrace canal


connecting it to the Hrauneyjafoss hydropower station. “With the expansion of Sigalda Hydropower Station,


we are helping Landsvirkjun secure sustainable power for the citizens and businesses of Iceland. In recent years, we have witnessed challenges in new power supply that have affected business growth. We are content that COWI’s experts can play a role in addressing this issue for the benefit of society at large,” said Gunnar Sverrir Gunnarsson, Managing Director of COWI Iceland.


COWI has been involved in most of Iceland’s


hydropower projects since the 1970s. Iceland’s electricity production is 100% renewable, with 70% generated from hydropower and 30% from geothermal energy. The country’s hydropower plants have a total installed capacity of 2.1GW, providing baseload power for industries such as aluminium smelting, a key pillar of Iceland’s economy for the past 30 years.


New generators for Bridge River 1 Across the Atlantic, Canada is making similar strides. BC


Hydro has selected ANDRITZ to supply new generators for its Bridge River 1 hydropower plant in British Columbia, marking another significant refurbishment effort aimed at increasing efficiency and reliability. Under the contract, ANDRITZ will supply four 60


MVA generators for the Bridge River 1 hydropower plant in British Columbia. The contract value has not been disclosed. The upgrade comes after more than 70 years of operation and is expected to improve the plant’s reliability while increasing installed generator capacity by 15%. The project aligns with British Columbia’s renewable energy targets. Located in St’át’imc territory near the Tsal’alh community on Seton Lake, the upgrade is expected to create jobs, support economic growth, and ensure a steady supply of clean energy. ANDRITZ stated it “looks forward to working with the local First Nations


communities in the execution of the project.” BC Hydro’s decision to award the Bridge River 1 contract to ANDRITZ continues the partnership between the two organisations. The company has previously supplied two 520 MW Francis turbines and generators for BC Hydro’s Mica hydropower plant. ANDRITZ Hydropower employs approximately 500 highly qualified and experienced persons in Canada, and is active in a number of projects in the country.


Clean energy initiative transforms


Arno River Beyond large-scale infrastructure projects, smaller initiatives are also making an impact. In Italy, the Arno Project is revitalizing historic weirs to generate clean energy while preserving cultural heritage, demonstrating how hydropower can merge past and future sustainability goals. A new video highlights the project, a major


hydropower initiative aimed at restoring and repurposing historic weirs along the Arno River. Led by Hydroalp in collaboration with Mecc Alte, the project integrates sustainability with cultural heritage preservation, providing clean energy for thousands of families. The initiative, spearheaded by the Tuscany Region, covers a 55-kilometer stretch between Incisa and Le Signe. It involves 12 hydropower plants designed to generate 55 GWh of electricity annually – enough to power approximately 20,000 households while preventing 25,000 tons of CO2 emissions each year. Hydroalp worked with EPC contractor PAC S.p.A. to design and supply power generation and automation systems for the plants. “Treating the 12 plants as a single project allowed us to optimize efficiency and impact,” Hydroalp stated. Mecc Alte, a global leader in alternator production,


provided power generation systems designed for reliability and efficiency. “Our vertically integrated production process ensures unmatched performance,” the company noted. The project incorporates Kaplan turbines designed for easy maintenance and minimal environmental disruption. Restored weirs, originally built for mechanical power, now support sustainable water cycles, fish ladders, and large basins to protect aquatic biodiversity. Three plants – Incisa, Compiobbi, and Traversa dell’Isolotto – are already operational. The remaining nine are under construction and set to be completed by 2025 through a project financing agreement with Iniziative Toscane. The video showcases the technical expertise and


collaboration behind the project. It highlights the commitment of Hydroalp, Mecc Alte, and other partners in advancing sustainable hydropower solutions.


Conclusion From large-scale pumped storage in Austria to


community-driven restoration in Italy, hydropower refurbishment is proving essential in the race toward carbon neutrality. These projects not only extend the life of existing assets but also integrate new technologies to enhance flexibility, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. As nations push for cleaner energy, hydropower


is set to remain a cornerstone of sustainable development.


www.waterpowermagazine.com | April 2025 | 27


Above: Hydroalp and Mecc Alte have launched a video story of the Arno Project


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