POWERING TÜRKIYE’S FUTURE

THE STORY BEHIND THE LANDMARK YUSUFELI HYDROPOWER PROJECT

For centuries, the Çoruh River in eastern Türkiye was known as an untamable force of nature. Ancient historians wrote of its relentless flow, describing how it surged into the Black Sea with such power that it disrupted coastal waters, making navigation impossible. Harnessing this river’s energy seemed an insurmountable challenge – until now.

The Yusufeli dam and hydropower plant represent a monumental achievement in Türkiye’s efforts to utilize the river’s energy for a sustainable future. Standing at 275 meters, Türkiye’s highest double-curvature dam – and the third tallest of its kind globally – plays a crucial role in controlling the Çoruh River. Downstream, at the Yusufeli hydropower plant, the river’s energy is transformed into electricity through state-of-the-art equipment provided by ANDRITZ.

The contract was signed in 2016, and the hydropower plant was officially put into operation in 2023 after a long-term collaboration led by the Turkish state company Devlet Su Isleri (DSI) and various contractors. ANDRITZ played a key role, delivering and integrating a full “from water-to-wire” package consisting of electromechanical systems such as three vertical Francis turbines (each with a capacity of 186 MW), generators, transformers, and balance of plant systems (representing a market share of approx. 60% in turbines).

The plant now provides over 1,888 gigawatt hours (GWh) of renewable energy annually – enough to power the equivalent of 600,000 homes across Türkiye. This project embodies the vision of transforming the Çoruh River’s untamable energy into a sustainable and reliable power source for generations to come.

HARNESSING THE POWER OF THE UNTAMABLE ÇORUH

The extensive experience of ANDRITZ in Türkiye’s hydropower sector made us an ideal partner for the Yusufeli project. The first projects ANDRITZ realized in Türkiye’s hydropower sector go way back – as early as 1920. Today, ANDRITZ is proud to be the market leader, with 16,000 MW of installed or rehabilitated turbines and 8,700 MVA of generators.

THE TECHNOLOGY BEHIND YUSUFELI

Yusufeli is a showcase of advanced hydropower technology, with ANDRITZ’s contributions central to its success. The scope consisted of a full suite of electromechanical solutions, including turbines, generators, transformers, and a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. ANDRITZ also supplied all necessary hydromechanical components, including gates, penstocks, steel liners, trash racks, and cranes, ensuring smooth operational performance from water inflow to electrical output.

ANDRITZ Francis turbines power the Yusufeli hydropower plant in Türkiye, generating clean energy for 600,000 households through integrated water-to-wire technology.

The SCADA system allows real-time monitoring and remote control of the plant’s operations, optimizing efficiency and minimizing downtime. Additionally, a 380/154 kV GIS switchyard was installed to manage the plant’s electrical output and transmission efficiently. “The SCADA system and other technologies deployed at Yusufeli have set a new benchmark in hydropower.

ANDRITZ’s innovations ensure that the plant will operate efficiently for years to come,” said a representative of our partner from DSI. Custom features were also introduced to meet Yusufeli’s unique operational needs, including advanced flow and pressure monitoring systems, durable shaft seals, and stainless-steel components for turbine cooling. These innovations enhance the plant’s reliability in Türkiye’s demanding environmental conditions.

“ANDRITZ’s innovations ensure that the hydropower plant will operate efficiently for years to come.”

TURNING CHALLENGES INTO INNOVATION

The construction of Yusufeli presented significant logistical challenges as well. The narrow valleys of Artvin Province and the dam’s towering height made the transportation and installation
of large equipment particularly difficult.

Key components, such as the Francis turbines and generators, had to be transported through rugged terrain and installed with precision in confined spaces. “Innovative ideas were required to install heavy equipment like generators and butterfly valves. We achieved this together, even during the pandemic, without disruption,” said the DSI representative.

ANDRITZ’s collaboration with DSI ensured that installation timelines were met despite global supply chain interruptions. Drawing on experience from other projects, ANDRITZ introduced
new approaches to equipment installation, ensuring the plant was operational in only seven years.

POWERING TÜRKIYE’S RENEWABLE FUTURE

Beyond technological achievement, the Yusufeli hydropower plant is critical to advancing Türkiye’s sustainability goals. By generating 1,888 GWh of renewable electricity per year, it reduces the country’s reliance on fossil fuels and covers more than three times the electricity needs of Artvin Province, where it is located.

Additionally, the plant plays a vital role in managing the flow of the Çoruh River, mitigating the risk of seasonal flooding that has historically threatened the region. This dual function of energy generation and flood control makes Yusufeli a crucial element of Türkiye’s broader environmental and energy strategy.

ANDRITZ’s advanced monitoring and control systems ensure that the plant operates with maximum efficiency, sustainably managing water resources while safeguarding the surrounding ecosystem.

Testing of the Yusufeli dam spillways with representatives of the Turkish state company Devlet Su Isleri (DSI)

DRIVING TÜRKIYE’S PATH TO ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

Yusufeli is a key element of Türkiye’s efforts to achieve greater energy independence. The plant’s annual electricity output replaces the need for over 1.1 million barrels of oil, significantly reducing the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.

With ANDRITZ’s cutting-edge technology at its core, the Yusufeli project has transformed the once wild Çoruh River into a reliable source of renewable energy.

Projects such as Yusufeli will be of key importance on Türkiye’s path to sustainability and energy independence. Through innovation, resilience, and a commitment to clean energy, we are helping Türkiye to shape a future powered by renewable resources.

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