| |
NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ -
Paris, Ile-de-France, France, 2026/04/01 - As the Dinorwig six-turbine hydropower plant nears the end of its design life, First Hydro Company (FHC), majority owned by ENGIE, has launched one of the biggest pumped storage renewal projects currently underway in Europe - Tractebel-Engie.com.
|
| |
Tractebel is providing Technical Assistance during the design stage.
Dinorwig Power Station in North Wales, widely known as the “Electric Mountain,” has been a cornerstone of the United Kingdom’s energy resilience since its commissioning in 1983. Carved deep into the mountainside above Llanberis, the underground complex houses six fixed-speed Francis pump turbines, each rated at 313.5 MW. Together, they deliver a combined generation capacity of around 1.8 GW, making Dinorwig the largest pumped-storage facility and fastest-responding generating asset in the UK.
After over four decades of reliable service, Dinorwig’s main electrical and mechanical plant components are approaching the end of their original design life. To secure the station’s future and enhance its capabilities, FHC, under 75% ownership by ENGIE and 25% by Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), has launched a full refurbishment project, known as “replanting.”
Tractebel providing technical assistance during design phase
Our team is contributing across conceptual, basic and detailed design review on the following fields of expertise:
• Turbine hydraulic model tests;
• Hydraulic transient calculation;
• Turbine mechanical design;
• Mechanical Balance of Plant;
• Generator design;
• Electrical Balance of Plant;
• Instrumentation and Control System;
• Risk management and quality assurance.
The project is divided into three stages. Stage 1 is mainly related to design and site survey. Stage 2 involves replanting of the first two units, as well as any remaining basic and detailed design not already carried out in Stage 1. Stage 3 is the replanting of the remaining units.
Stage 1 is currently ongoing, with full project completion expected for 2035. The replanting will replace and optimize key components with the latest-generation systems, ensuring improved efficiency, reliability, maintainability and operational flexibility.
Pumped storage key to the energy transition
More than just an equipment renewal project, the Dinorwig replanting is a major investment in the UK’s net-zero future. Pumped storage plays a critical role in enabling largescale renewable energy deployment. By storing excess electricity produced during periods of high wind or solar generation, stations like Dinorwig can release energy back into the grid precisely when it is needed most, ensuring stability, flexibility and reliability in an increasingly renewable-based power system.
Key benefits include:
• Grid stability in a system with growing renewable penetration;
• Massive short-response capability, essential for balancing intermittency;
• Low-carbon flexibility, replacing fossil fuel-based balancing assets.
"Tractebel is proud to support ENGIE/FHC in safeguarding and enhancing one of the UK’s most iconic hydropower assets."
Thomas BLANIE - Tractebel Project Manager
About Tractebel
Tractebel (tractebel-engie.be) is a global engineering company delivering game-changing solutions for a carbon-neutral future. Insights gathered during our more than 150 years of experience in energy, water, infrastructures and nuclear projects combined with local expertise allow us to tackle complex future-oriented projects. By connecting strategy, design, engineering and project management, our community of imaginative experts helps companies and public authorities create positive impact towards a sustainable world, where people, planet and profit collectively thrive. With offices in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and North and Latin America, the company registered a turnover of 579 million euros in 2021. Tractebel is part of the ENGIE Group, a global reference in low-carbon energy and services.
|
press[.]tractebel-engie.com 
