Europe Hydro Turbine Market Insight & Forecast 2025-2033

Europe Hydro Turbine Market Size and Forecast 2025-2033

The Europe Hydro Turbine Market is anticipated to grow at US$ 840.78 million by 2033 from US$ 542.44 million in 2024, at a CAGR of 4.99% from 2025 to 2033. It is fueled by the growth in investment in renewable energy, upgrade of aged hydropower schemes, and robust policy support for clean electricity generation in Norway, France, Austria, and Switzerland.

Europe Hydro Turbine Market Overview

A hydro turbine is an apparatus which converts the kinetic energy of falling or flowing water into mechanical energy, and further converts it into electricity using a generator. It is a crucial element of hydroelectric power plants with an essential role in environmentally friendly energy generation. There are some types of hydro turbines, including Pelton, Francis, and Kaplan, each applicable for diverse conditions of water flow and pressure.

Across Europe, hydro turbines are embracing a widespread application because of the European focus on renewable energy and curbing carbon emissions. Norway, Austria, Switzerland, and France are among the nations that have vast mountain landscapes and water resources, hence ensuring hydroelectric energy is a key source of energy for their national grids. Europe's extended investment in clean energy infrastructure, advancements in technology, and strict environmental policies are also fueling the use of hydro turbines. In addition, hydro power is available as secure, low-cost electricity with small environmental footprints, making it a top option for long-term sustainable energy plans in Europe.

Growth Drivers in the Europe Hydro Turbine Market

Pledge to Renewable Energy Targets

Climate targets in Europe and commitments towards carbon neutrality are key growth drivers in the hydro turbine market. As part of the European Green Deal, nations are making investments in clean energy sources such as hydropower to decrease the use of fossil fuels. Hydropower, backed by hydro turbines, has a reliable energy output and grid stability, which makes it integral to Europe's renewable strategy. Government subsidies, beneficial policies, and cross-border green energy partnerships additionally speed up the installation of hydro turbines. The 27-country European Union has been at the forefront of the world's energy transition for a long time, with robust backing for clean technologies and an ambitious decarbonization policy. That policy consists of policy measures, i.e., the European Green Deal (in 2020) and the Fit for 55 plan (in 2021), which seek a reduction in 2030 CO2 emissions by 55 percent (compared to 1990 levels) and net-zero emissions by 2050.

Technological Advances in Turbine Design

Advancements in hydro turbine technology-i.e., enhanced blade designs, digital monitoring systems, and adaptive efficiency controls-are maximizing performance and minimizing maintenance expenses. These technologies enable turbines to become more feasible for low-flow and small-scale applications, enhancing business opportunities in varied European landscapes. Retrofitting older infrastructure with newer turbines is also becoming increasingly popular, contributing to the market's expansion by updating existing assets while maximizing output and energy efficiency. During the period 2023-2025, Europe intended to commission some 4 GW of new pumped storage capacity, such as big ones in Switzerland, Austria, and Spain. The European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE) foresees that PSH will cover approximately 60% of the storage capacity of the continent in 2025. Nant de Drance plant in Switzerland (900 MW) and the Gkioufa plant in Greece (700 MW) indicate continued investment in the sector. As per this, the governments and EU are providing incentives and regulatory assistance, further driving the market demand. For example, the EU Green Deal and the Renewable Energy Directive aim at enhanced hydropower storage as a remedy for variable energy production.

Abundant Hydrological Resources

Europe's fertile river basins and mountainous terrain offer ideal conditions for the development of hydropower. Norway, Switzerland, Austria, and France tap their natural water resources to produce electricity. This natural benefit allows both large-scale and small-scale hydro projects to flourish. In light of increased energy demand and the potential for untapped hydro resources in regions of Eastern Europe and the Balkans, the market for hydro turbines in the region is set to grow steadily.

Challenges Faced by the Europe Hydro Turbine Market

Environmental Issues and Regulatory Obstacles

In spite of being a renewable energy source, hydropower developments are frequently criticized for the effects they have on aquatic life, fish migration, and natural habitats. Harsh European environmental regulations can retard or prevent fresh hydro developments. Environmental compliance makes projects complex and expensive, thus instilling fear in developers. Harmonization of energy production with ecosystem conservation is a fundamental challenge to hydro turbine installation.

High Initial Capital Investment

The initial expenses linked to hydroelectric ventures, such as turbine fabrication, dam construction, land procurement, and licensing, are still high. Such high-capital requirements tend to discourage small investors or restrict ventures in areas with lower financing capacities. Although long-term profitability is good, the financial upfront cost and long project lead times discourage faster market growth, particularly relative to solar or wind options.

Europe Hydro Turbine Reaction Market

The reaction turbine category in Europe is of considerable size because it has high efficiency in water applications of medium to high flows. Francis and Kaplan turbines-both popular varieties-are widely used in nations with wide rivers and regular water supply, like France and Austria. These turbines work by harnessing energy from the velocity and pressure of water, providing high energy conversion efficiency. With the trend towards upgrading hydropower plants and increasing production, reaction turbines continue to be an important technology behind Europe's sustainable energy policy.

Europe Hydro Turbine Impulse Market

Impulse turbines, particularly Pelton turbines, find extensive applications in high-head, low-flow systems prevalent in alpine areas of countries such as Switzerland and Italy. Impulse turbines are renowned for their mechanical simplicity and can be used with efficient operation by high-speed water jets. The market is expanding because of expanding installations in mountainous areas and conversion of old infrastructure. Impulse turbines also have the advantage of being more durable and requiring lower maintenance, thus suitable for remote or off-grid power plants.

Europe Small Hydro Turbine Market

The small hydro turbine market in Europe is growing because of increasing interest in decentralized power generation and rural electrification. Having capacities less than 10 MW, these systems are simple to deploy, environmentally friendly, and perfect for remote areas. Government incentives and simplified approval procedures for small-scale renewable facilities have also driven this market. Small hydro schemes play an important role in energy independence of local communities and transmission loss reduction.

Europe Large Hydro Turbine Market

Large hydro turbines, with ratings over 10 MW, characterize Europe's electricity supply in hydropower-rich nations. They are central in baseload power generation and energy storage (through pumped storage facilities). Developments in Norway, France, and Sweden evidence the contribution of large-scale hydropower in grid reliability support and clean energy achievement. Nonetheless, these facilities require extensive infrastructure and investment, hence their popularity in hydropower-capable countries as well as those supported by governments.

France Hydro Turbine Market

France is one of Europe's hydropower production leaders, with a well-developed system of dams and hydro power plants. The hydro turbine market has the support of a robust government, sustainability objectives, and EDF's (Electricite de France) strategic interest in renewable energy. France's mountainous landscape and long rivers allow for both large and small hydro developments. The nation is also considering upgrading aging turbines, improving energy efficiency and production while preserving environmental standards. September 2023: GE Vernova's Hydro Power business has successfully upgraded the first of six Kaplan turbine and generator units at the Qairokkum hydropower plant in Tajikistan.

Germany Hydro Turbine Market

Germany's hydro turbine industry is proportionately smaller than its solar or wind industries but is still critical to the stability of the grid and energy diversity. The emphasis is on upgrading old infrastructure and installing small hydropower plants, particularly in the south. The nation's robust manufacturing and engineering foundation underpins local turbine manufacturing and tech development. Natural conditions restrict the construction of new dams, while existing plant retrofitting and efficiency upgrading stimulate continued market activity. Feb 2025, Germany launched a campaign over multiple years to monitor winds 280 kilometers off the German Noth Sea coast to prepare for the development of expanded wind farms in the region. Offshore wind farms are needed to achieve the government target of 70 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2045, which means constructing wind farms in these remote regions of the North Sea.

United Kingdom Hydro Turbine Market

Hydro power contributes modest but vital amounts to rural and off-grid communities in Scotland and Wales in the UK. Government feed-in tariffs and community-backed renewable schemes support the hydro turbine market. Small-scale turbines are preponderant due to the scarcity of appropriate locations for large dams. Fish-friendly and low-impact technologies are promoted in accordance with the environmental and decarbonisation policies of the country. May 2024, Perthshire's famous Tummel Bridge Power Station is producing renewable electricity once more after the first of two new hydro power turbines was installed and energised successfully. This is a milestone in SSE Renewables' £50 million investment to upgrade the hydro station that, when completed, will raise the station's potential output from 34 to 40 megawatts (MW) under best conditions.

Russia Hydro Turbine Market

Russia has vast hydrological resources, particularly in Siberia and the Far East. The hydro turbine market in Russia is driven by the requirement for electrification of remote areas and upgrading Soviet-era hydro infrastructure. Hydroelectric power plants on a large scale are major contributors to national energy production, particularly via the Angara and Yenisei river basins. Irrespective of geopolitical and economic pressures, in-country turbine manufacturing and modernization investment are projected to maintain industry growth. December 2024, Rosatom has opened a new plant in Ulyanovsk producing wind turbine blades, a prime milestone in Russia's energy policy. The factory, owned by Rusatom Vetrolopasti, is set to satisfy the increasing need for renewable energy projects and decrease reliance on imports.

Market Segmentation

Technology

• Reaction
• Impulse

Capacity

• Small (Less than 10MW)
• Medium (10MW-100MW)
• Large (Greater than 100MW)

Countries

• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• United Kingdom
• Belgium
• Netherlands
• Russia
• Poland
• Greece
• Norway
• Romania
• Portugal
• Rest of Europe

All companies have been covered with 5 Viewpoints

• Overviews
• Key Person
• Recent Developments
• SWOT Analysis
• Revenue Analysis

Key Players Analysis

• General Electric Company
• Andritz AG
• Litostroj Power Group
• Siemens AG
• Voith GmbH & Co. KGaA
• Kirloskar Brothers Ltd
• Canadian Hydro Components Ltd.
• Norcan Hydraulic Turbine Inc.
• Toshiba Energy