Hydropower cost benchmarking

Hydropower generation is a proven renewable energy source. But despite a focus on cost reduction, operators’ overheads are increasing – mainly driven by reinvestments. As the hydro market matures, understanding cost will boost commercial potential.

However, hydro operators struggle to compare their performance against their peers due to the unique nature of each hydro operation, including asset types and configurations, income profile and risk, regulation, hydrological factors, climate, and more. Our ‘weighted maintenance object’ (WMO) model solves this dilemma, allowing one-to-one comparison across power plant portfolios.

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Working together

Building on our over 25 years of experience benchmarking the hydro industry, our WMO approach reveals the underlying cost drivers of specific assets at power plant level, providing a consistent view of the operator’s total assets and associated costs. This enables a direct comparison of assets and operators regardless of size, type, configuration, or geography.

Global data

Our benchmark includes more than 80 portfolios globally, made up of over 2,500 unique power stations – accounting for more than 110,000 MW.

Informed by experts

Each year, our annual forum in Norway brings a large group of hydro operators together to discuss performance in the industry.

Creating multi-millions in savings

We’ve helped organisations save an average of 20 percent of total costs, including a 35 percent reduction in operating costs and capital expenditure for one company over an 18-month period.

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Understanding performance at a granular level

Establish a baseline of current performance based on our WMO model.

Setting a change ambition

Develop a realistic change ambition to drive optimal performance.

Catalysing change

Create a portfolio of change initiatives.

Embedding effective programme management

Support the implementation of change initiatives through effective programme management.

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Expert views

Putting all the decision-making in one place makes it more likely that a company gets the best value for its maintenance investment.”

Espen Odderbø Energy and utilities

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Increased focus on the production of hydrogen and derivatives will support a robust, future-fit hydrogen industry while driving progress towards decarbonisation.”

Thea Berg Energy and utilities

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The development of energy infrastructure is crucial to meeting Norway’s future energy needs and achieving a successful green transition. Investment in power grids and pylons will therefore be very important in the coming years.”

Petter Knudsen Energy and transformation

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The increased demand for energy that Generative AI is expected to lead to in the future presents new opportunities for investors that may also serve societal and citizen interests over time.”

Oskar Almén Energy and transformation

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