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Picote I hydropower plant in Portugal_Copyright ENGIE Hidroelétricas do Douro

ENGIE selects ANDRITZ to modernize Picote I hydropower plant in Portugal

2026/07/28

ENGIE Hidroelétricas do Douro, on behalf of Movhera Hidroelétricas do Norte S.A., has awarded an ANDRITZ-led consortium a contract to rehabilitate and modernize three generating units at the Picote I hydropower plant in Portugal.

The order has a value in the mid double-digit million-euro range and is included in ANDRITZ’s order intake for the second quarter of 2026.

The Picote I plant on the Douro River, operated by Movhera, is part of Portugal’s strategically important Douro hydropower cascade, which supports the country's renewable electricity generation and long-term energy security. The modernization will enhance the plant's efficiency, reliability, and environmental performance, strengthening its contribution to Portugal's ongoing energy transition.

ANDRITZ will supply three new 72-MW Francis runners with new wicket gates, carry out the mechanical rehabilitation of the three generator rotors, modernize the mechanical power system, and perform the dismantling and installation works.

The modernization is scheduled for completion by the end of 2030, with the first modernized unit planned for commissioning at the end of 2028 and the second at the end of 2029.

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Picote I hydropower plant in Portugal_Copyright ENGIE Hidroelétricas do Douro

Picote I hydropower plant in Portugal

© ENGIE Hidroelétricas do Douro

ANDRITZ GROUP
International technology group ANDRITZ provides advanced plants, equipment, services, and digital solutions for a wide range of industries, including pulp and paper, metals, hydropower, environmental, and others. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in Austria, the publicly listed group employs about 30,000 people at 280 locations in over 80 countries.
As a global leader in technology and innovation, ANDRITZ is committed to fostering progress that benefits customers, partners, employees, society, and the environment. The company’s growth is driven by sustainable solutions enabling the green transition, advanced digitalization for highest industrial performance, and comprehensive services that maximize the value of customers’ plants over their entire life cycle. ANDRITZ. FOR GROWTH THAT MATTERS.

ANDRITZ HYDROPOWER
ANDRITZ Hydropower is one of the world's leading suppliers of electromechanical equipment and services for hydropower stations in the dynamically growing global renewable energy market. Based on 185 years of experience and a global installed capacity of 492 gigawatts, we offer innovative solutions for new and existing hydropower stations, from small hydropower to large-scale plants. State-of-the-art digital solutions, comprehensive services for the operation and maintenance of entire hydropower plants, synchronous condensers for grid stability and turbo generators for the thermal industry complete the portfolio.