French power engineering company Alstom has  acquired assets from North American Phoenix – Energy Services (NAPES), a Wisconsin based producer of control systems and speed governors for hydropower plants.

The company said the acquisition, made for an undisclosed amount, would strengthen its hydropower refurbishment and services presence in the US.

In particular, Alstom has its eye on the 100GW installed hydro capacity in the US, which it said comprised plants with an average age of 54 years old, since it said hydro units would normally require servicing after around 40 years’ lifetime.

This could include anything from major repairs through to refurbishment or even replacement. The replacement of control systems would be more frequent.

The company said the service market for hydropower plants should therefore grow as generators seek to optimize efficiency.

The acquisition of NATES, which has its headquarters in Wausau, Wisconsin, should open the door for Alstom to hydropower markets in two key US areas, the states of Wisconsin and Washington, it said.

Claude Lambert, President and CEO of Alstom Hydro North America, which has its HQ in Montreal, Canada, said:”These additions, combined with our existing locations in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec and Denver, Colorado, reinforce Alstom Hydro’s North American footprint so that we may better respond to our customers needs with the most advanced and adaptable solutions.”

Worldwide, Alstom Hydro has over 400 GW of turbines and generators installed, which it says represents more than 25% of the total global hydropower installed capacity.

Philippe Cochet, President of Alstom Hydro, said: “This acquisition strengthens Alstom Hydro’s position as a leader in the North American market; it will help us broaden our product portfolio and expand our US hydro services business by enabling us to offer better and wider services to respond to customers’ expectations concerning control and governing systems.”