Upgrading today’s hydropower fleet: increasing capacity through innovation

Speakers

• Stefan Cambridge, Managing Director Australia of Andritz Hydro
• Atle Harby, Senior Research Scientist at SINTEF
• James Stevens, CEO of Preformed Windings

And more to come!

Overview

The global hydropower fleet, with more than 20% of generating units expected to be over 55 years old by 2030 (IEA, 2021), remains one of the largest sources of renewable electricity globally at 14% of gross electricity consumption in 2025 (Ember, 2026). Yet ageing infrastructure and evolving energy system needs are creating a new imperative: to modernise existing assets for higher performance, flexibility, and environmental compatibility. With grid balancing requirements rising due to the expansion of variable renewables, upgrading existing hydropower capacity can deliver substantial gains, both in energy output and system stability, without the footprint and cost of greenfield construction.  

Energy markets are facing rising pressure to integrate increasing shares of variable renewable energy, manage seasonal imbalances, and ensure grid stability while reducing new land and water use. As opportunities for new large-scale hydropower construction diminish in several regions, extending and enhancing the existing fleet becomes the most efficient and sustainable path to additional clean capacity. Through targeted refurbishment, such as dam heightening, waterway and penstock improvements, increased efficiency of electro-mechanical equipment, digitalisation and advanced control systems, it is estimated that global generation could be increased 7-8% (IHA Global Modernisation Potential Assessment, 2026).  

This opportunity is both technical and strategic, with modernisation not only increasing installed and available capacity but also provides essential flexibility and storage to balance the net-zero transition. Yet achieving this potential requires coordinated policy support, innovative financing models and technologies, and increased collaboration. This session explores how regions can unlock untapped potential within its existing assets to meet climate goals and ensure long-term energy security.

Session objectives

• Examine the technical, market and policy drivers behind the global wave of hydropower modernisation.
• Present leading examples of capacity uprating through turbine and generator replacement, added units in existing infrastructure, and optimised use of available head and flow.
• Discuss financing, regulatory and market frameworks that enable reinvestment in existing hydropower assets, from capacity auctions to development finance.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration, knowledge transfer and replication between asset owners, OEMs and financiers across regions.
• Define how modernising existing hydropower can support decarbonisation, energy security and system resilience at the lowest cost and environmental footprint.