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Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Funded by Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the initiative covers up to 50% of assessment costs, capped at 25,000 Swiss Francs per project. The fund supports independent assessments using the Hydropower Sustainability Standard, excluding costs related to construction, Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, or similar expenses. These assessments involve site inspections, document reviews, and stakeholder interviews, resulting in a report outlining compliance with sustainability practices and identifying gaps. HS Standard assessments are crucial for demonstrating sustainability commitments to stakeholders and are necessary for obtaining climate-aligned financial mechanisms and certifications. Projects under preparation, development, or operation in eligible countries can apply by submitting a proposal, budget, and assessor quotation. Selection criteria include project location, assessment purpose, alignment with sustainability goals, and readiness. For more information and application details, visit
https://www.hs-alliance.org/hesg-fund
Europe
Fortum adds 250 employees to hydropower team in Finland and Sweden
Fortum has announced it has added 250 employees to its hydropower operations and maintenance team in Sweden and Finland. This move reverses a decision made about a decade ago when the company outsourced its hydropower maintenance staff. In 2023, Fortum evaluated the potential benefits of bringing maintenance operations back in-house. The analysis, completed in the summer of 2023, led to the decision to reintegrate the maintenance staff, aiming to improve efficiency and foster a stronger internal community.
By adding these new employees, Fortum
aims to enhance the quality and efficiency of its hydropower operations. The company is also focusing on recruiting local workers to strengthen ties with the communities where it operates, ensuring smooth facility operations and building positive local relationships. “Operation and maintenance are critical parts of our core business. By integrating our hydropower facilities and staff within the same organization, we create a more cohesive and efficient working environment,” said Katarina Atteryd Eckerwall, Head of Fortum’s Hydropower Facilities. “We hope and believe that this will increase our ability to address challenges, promote a safety culture, and enhance the quality of our operations and maintenance.” Fortum believes that bringing skilled
technicians and experts together will foster learning and innovation, essential for meeting
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future energy needs. The company also aims to deepen its engagement with local communities, strengthening both its operations and the communities around its hydropower facilities. Fortum’s focus on integrating local labour aligns with its strategic goals and commitment to a fossil-free energy transition. Hydropower plays a crucial role in the Nordic energy system, contributing to nearly half of the region’s electricity production. Maintaining these plants is vital for Fortum’s efforts to support the Nordic energy infrastructure.
US
Kleinschmidt awarded Indian Orchard penstock replacement project by Patriot Hydro Kleinschmidt Associates has been selected by Patriot Hydro, LLC to provide engineering services for the replacement of Penstock No. 4 at the Indian Orchard Hydroelectric Project in Hampden County, Massachusetts, US. The project involves replacing the existing 16ft-diameter buried steel penstock, which has reached the end of its service life, with a new 12ft-diameter buried steel penstock. Kleinschmidt’s role includes conducting a
pre-design geotechnical investigation, survey, and 3D laser scan of the current infrastructure. These steps are essential for the design and construction of the new penstock. The firm will also create design drawings and specifications for the construction phase. “We are excited to embark on the Penstock
No. 4 replacement project with Patriot Hydro”, said Eric Turgeon, Project Manager at Kleinschmidt Associates. “The new design will leverage cutting-edge technology and materials, ensuring longevity and efficiency for the Indian Orchard Hydroelectric Project.” The project began in April 2024 and is expected to be completed by Fall 2025.
Scotland Seismic surveys begin for expansion to Cruachan pumped storage project Seismic surveys are being taken to provide crucial geological data about the rock in which the new plant would be housed inside. Exploratory ground works have commenced on Ben Cruachan, near Oban, Scotland, for the UK’s first pumped storage scheme in 40 years. Renewable energy company Drax is advancing its plans to construct a 600MW underground plant next to its current Cruachan facility. The project involves seismic surveys to gather essential geological data about the rock where the new plant will be located. This process includes drilling holes into the rock and using small explosive charges to create sound waves, which are measured by geophones to detect fractures, fissures, or weak spots up to 60m below the surface. “The expansion of Cruachan will be one
of the most significant engineering projects in Scotland for many decades,” said Steve Marshall, Development Manager at Drax. “The start of these seismic surveys of the mountain is a real milestone moment for the project and everyone at Drax is excited to see the development take another step forward, These surveys will further complement borehole drilling works undertaken in 2022 and 2023 at the site.
“With the project granted development consent from the Scottish Government, we hope the next UK Government will continue policy development in this area at pace to enable a new generation of pumped storage plants to come online as soon as possible,” Marshall added.
“Expanding Cruachan will strengthen the UK’s
energy security by enabling more homegrown renewable electricity to come online to power homes and businesses across the country. This major infrastructure project will support hundreds of jobs and provide a real boost to the Scottish economy.”
Turkey Andritz to equip new Silvan hydropower plant Andritz has been selected by the Turkish water authority Devlet Su İşleri (DSI) to supply electro-mechanical equipment for the new 160 MW Silvan hydropower plant in Turkey. The plant, located on the Kulp Stream near Diyarbakir in Southeast Anatolia, will feature four 40MW turbines, four generators, associated equipment, and a 154 kV switchyard system. The Silvan hydropower plant is expected
to generate 681GWh of electricity annually, contributing significantly to Turkey’s energy supply and reducing carbon emissions. “We are proud to be part of this important
hydropower project and to contribute to the expansion of renewable power in Türkiye,” said Frank Mette, Managing Director of Andritz Hydropower Türkiye. “This project is in line with our mission to contribute to the global transition to sustainable energy generation.” Andritz has a long history in Turkey, with nearly a century of operations and a company based in Izmir. The group has supplied or rehabilitated turbines and generators with a total capacity of about 16,000MW in the country. Hydropower accounts for 20.7% of Turkey’s total installed capacity.
Ukraine Report exposes catastrophic impacts of Kakhovka dam destruction A new report by Truth Hounds provides a comprehensive analysis of the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine and its devastating impacts. The report, titled “Submerged: A Study of the Destruction of the Kakhovka Dam and its Impacts on Ecosystems,
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