Taltson – engineering performance in extreme conditions

Located in the remote Northwest Territories of Canada, the Taltson Hydroelectric Project presented a unique combination of demanding hydraulic requirements and extraordinary logistical challenges. Litostroj was tasked with upgrading the generating unit to deliver higher output while significantly expanding its operating range.

Extending the operating range

The key challenge was to increase the unit's capacity from 18 MW to 22 MW while enabling stable operation down to just 9 MW—an exceptionally low operating limit for a Francis turbine.

Litostroj's hydraulic engineering team developed a new runner optimized to maintain smooth and reliable operation across this extended range, combining increased output with greater operational flexibility.

Engineering for a remote site

With no road access to the site, the project required meticulous logistical planning. All equipment and tools had to travel along a specially prepared 55 km ice road, crossing several lakes and rivers. Because of the road's limited load-bearing capacity, the equipment was distributed across 35 trucks that had to arrive as a coordinated convoy. Missing even a single critical tool or component could have delayed the installation by weeks.

The remote location also required a specially designed solution inside the compact powerhouse. Before the existing unit could be dismantled, the newly assembled generator rotor had to be safely stored on site. Litostroj designed and manufactured a dedicated device to hold the rotor vertically until installation.

Overcoming the unexpected

The project faced an additional challenge during the installation works when forest fires reached the area surrounding the site. The project team had to be evacuated while firefighting crews worked to protect the infrastructure. Careful planning and the team's ability to respond to changing conditions allowed the project to continue despite the unexpected disruption.

Conclusion

The Taltson modernization increased unit capacity to 22 MW while extending the minimum operating output to 9 MW. More than a hydraulic upgrade, the project demonstrated Litostroj's ability to deliver complex hydropower modernization under exceptional technical, logistical and environmental conditions.