Injectors at the Bieudron power plant undergoing refurbishment
Group 2 at the Bieudron facility has been undergoing renovation since May 2025. A close-up of the renovation of the five injectors, which requires very painstaking work.
The Bieudron hydroelectric power plant, the most powerful in Switzerland, is currently having its Group 2 refurbished. This is a major project that involves restoring five injectors – key elements in making the plant run smoothly. This stage got under way in May 2025 and will last to the end of the year. The performance of its injectors is such that the facility can provide up to 1.2GW to the grid in just a few minutes – an output equivalent to that of a nuclear plant. Each injector works at an operating pressure of 186 bars. This is equivalent to a fall height of 1,869 metres, with pressure tests in the workshop going as high as 315 bars.
Careful disassembly and traceability
The works are being carried out in the central workshops in Martigny. The refurbishment process is rigorous and follows a precise methodology. It all starts by carefully disassembling the injectors piece by piece to avoid any errors or damage. Every item is logged in the tracking system, called ODOO. This ensures all components are fully traceable and makes it easier to manage the project. Thanks to ODOO each item has a unique reference number, making it possible to track its condition, history and actions required.
Rigorous controls
After thorough cleaning, components are subjected to a dimensions check and non-destructive tests to confirm their integrity. These ensure they comply with safety and performance standards. Once they have been repaired, they are checked again before being reinstalled. At this stage each injector is assembled following precise procedures set out in the task list. After the standard checks, the process ends with pressure testing at 315 bars (test pressure in the workshop) to confirm the injectors are watertight and operate smoothly.
This level of rigour and attention to detail in the refurbishment process ensure optimal performance from the injectors, as well as a long service life and plant safety over the years to come.
The HYDRO team at the central workshops in Martigny worked methodically and precisely to renovate the five injectors from the Bieudron plant.
One plant, three world records
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You may not be aware that the Bieudron plant holds no fewer than three world records:
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