Giving Hydropower Plants a Second Life: Why Refurbishment Matters
Many hydropower plants around the world have been in operation for decades — some for over half a century. While their civil structures often remain sound, their internal components can fall behind today’s performance, efficiency, and automation standards. That’s where hydropower refurbishment comes in.
Refurbishment is more than just repair. It’s the targeted modernization and upgrade of existing hydropower infrastructure to ensure continued performance, improve efficiency, extend lifetime, and align the plant with today’s digital and environmental requirements.
This process can involve anything from replacing outdated turbine components, redesigning runners, upgrading control systems, or optimizing hydraulics — all while respecting the original structure of the plant.
Why not just build a new plant?
While new hydropower construction is still an important part of the energy mix, refurbishment brings several key advantages:
Sustainability: No need for new dams or major construction – environmental impact is significantly reduced.
Cost-effectiveness: Modernizing existing systems is typically more affordable than building from scratch.
Time-saving: Existing infrastructure shortens project timelines and simplifies permitting processes.
Preservation: Many older plants have architectural or cultural significance that can be preserved through careful refurbishment.
When is refurbishment the right choice for you?
Every plant has its own story. And while each site is unique, certain signs clearly indicate when modernizatin of hydropower plant is the best choice:
Efficiency has dropped below acceptable levels.
Maintenance costs are increasing.
Components have reached the end of their service life.
Modernizations: The operator wants to add remote control or automation features.
Regulations: the plant needs to meet new regulatory or environmental standards.
GUGLER’s Approach
At GUGLER, we see refurbishment not as a compromise, but as a smart investment in the future. We treat each project individually, combining:
– Decades of engineering know-how,
– Customized design and manufacturing,
– Flexibility to work with existing infrastructure,
– And close collaboration with the client from start to finish.
Whether we are redesigning a runners for higher efficiency or digitizing a control system to enable remote monitoring, we aim to deliver long-term value and reliability.
Refurbishment is also a sustainability story. By breathing new life into existing facilities, we help reduce material consumption, lower CO₂ emissions, and preserve the ecological balance of rivers already impacted by infrastructure.
Ready for the Next Step?
Refurbishment is not about looking back — it’s about building forward. If you’re considering upgrading your plant, we’re here to help. Let’s find the solution that fits your site, your needs, and your vision.
Get in touch with our team to learn how we can support your refurbishment journey.
(June 2025)
About GUGLER Water Turbines GmbH:
GUGLER Water Turbines GmbH is a leading supplier of – state of the art – turbine technology, supplying all types of Francis, Kaplan and Pelton turbines up to 40 MW per unit and related electro-mechanical equipment for small and medium sized hydro power plants (water to wire).
GUGLER Water Turbines GmbH supplies also special turbines, such as micro turbines, container turbines, siphon turbines, gates turbines, turbines for drinking water, waste water and salt water systems on a global basis.
