15.01.2026 / Members News
Voith secures key service contract for Santa Uxía hydropower station in Spain
Voith has strengthened its position in the Spanish hydropower market with the award of a key service and modernization contract for the Santa Uxía hydropower station in Galicia, marking an important milestone in its cooperation with XEAL (Xallas Electricidad y Aleaciones SA).
On 15 January 2026, Voith announced that it had been awarded the contract to supply two new Francis runners for the plant’s vertical spiral turbines. The agreement represents the first major order between Voith and XEAL and follows a series of successful service interventions that built trust and demonstrated Voith’s deep understanding of the plant’s operational requirements. Despite strong competition, Voith was selected not solely on price, but on its ability to deliver a technically sound solution tailored to the needs of the facility.
The runner replacement forms part of a broader modernization effort aimed at improving the operating range and performance of the Santa Uxía hydropower station without altering its existing technical layout. By maintaining full compatibility with the current infrastructure, the project minimizes risk while delivering tangible performance gains. Voith’s scope of work also includes dismantling activities, installation support and the refurbishment of selected components.
Once completed, the modernization is expected to increase hydraulic efficiency, reduce wear on critical components and extend the overall lifetime of the machines. These improvements will support more reliable and flexible operation, helping the plant adapt to evolving operating conditions while keeping lifecycle costs under control.
Beyond the immediate technical scope, the project reflects Voith’s growing service footprint in Spain and across Europe. Building on a strong OPEX track record, the company has been able to translate long-term service cooperation into a larger CAPEX order, reinforcing its role as a trusted partner throughout the full life cycle of hydropower assets.
The Santa Uxía contract also lays the foundation for future collaboration. In addition to the current modernization works, Voith and XEAL are already exploring opportunities in digital solutions and advanced service offerings that could further optimize performance and operational efficiency at the plant.
With this project, Voith once again underlines the value of close customer engagement, local presence and technical credibility in developing long-term partnerships in the hydropower sector, while supporting the sustainable operation of existing renewable energy infrastructure in Spain.
