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Horizon Europe · European Union

Demonstration of hydropower technologies for efficient and forward-looking refurbishment of existing hydropower plants

Opens 4 Aug 2027

The EU's Horizon Europe programme expects to make 2 awards of €8.5 million each, from a total budget of €17 million. Applications close on 1 Dec 2027 (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time). Organisations in EU member states and Horizon Europe associated countries such as Türkiye can usually take part; the topic conditions control.

Expected outcome

For a renewables-based electricity system sufficient flexible and also in the long-run fully sustainable hydropower capacity is pivotal.

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Enhancing the capacities of the hydropower fleet to contribute with variable renewables base load to a secure and stable electricity system, including by modernising grid integration and hydropower fleet control.

• Increase technology leadership, competitiveness and technology export potential of European hydropower industry.

• Address challenges of climate change adaptation for a forward-looking and stable operation of sustainable hydropower for the coming decades.

Scope

Demonstration of hydropower technology solutions which allow for efficient and forward-looking refurbishment of existing hydropower plants. Provided solutions must be socioeconomically and environmentally sustainable (including biodiversity) and provide a respective assessment. Issues which can be addressed are for example: Innovative design of turbines (and also draft tubes, nozzles and distributors) and generators, including innovative improvements based on future load cycles and extending their intended life time; new models and simulation tools for harsher operational conditions; digitalisation and artificial intelligence to advance instrumentation and controls and flexibility and to develop innovative operational strategies towards reduced O&M costs; transient aspect linked to new operating patterns of hydro plants to cope with climate changes and renewable base load; new materials for increased efficiency and resistance of equipment and increased performance, life time and resilience of infrastructure including e.g. phasing out of PFAS and mineral oils; low-GHG balance concrete; automated maintenance of metal hydropower turbines to reduce cost; operator hazards and reduce LCoE related to OPEX; Improving water uses resilience via integrated operations and management; simulation and forecasting tools for integrated risk and mitigation analysis for climate change adaptation and in response to extreme weather events by taking fully into account biodiversity requirements by targeting good ecological status and e.g. fish migration; water flows and sediment dynamics not hampering flexible hydropower production, innovative techniques for enhancing the life time of concrete structures and the overtopping safety of embankment and rockfill structures.

Who can apply

Consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or associated countries, at least one in a Member State (Horizon Europe standard rule).

Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.

Timing

Single-stage call. Next deadline 2027-12-01. The portal states the exact cut-off time (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time).

How to apply

1. Read the full topic on the Funding & Tenders Portal: expected outcome, scope, type of action and the topic conditions, including any country restrictions.
2. Register each participating organisation in the Funding & Tenders Portal to get a PIC.
3. Consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or associated countries (Horizon Europe standard rule; Türkiye is associated). Confirm in the topic conditions.
4. Prepare Part A (administrative forms and budget, completed in the portal) and Part B (the technical description on the official template for this type of action).
5. Submit in the portal before the cut-off time on the deadline day. Late submissions are not accepted.

From the call text

Who can apply

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Company stage

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Single applicant or consortium

Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.

Where applicants must be based

Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.

Where to apply

Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.

Read the EU application guide

Where these facts come from

Official sources

Official call page

Facts on this page come from the funder’s official data, taken on 14 Nov 2026. The funder's own documents, including later amendments, always take precedence.

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