Francis Turbine Pumps Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Francis Turbine Pumps Market is projected to grow from USD 2.21 billion in 2025 to USD 2.98 billion by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 5.11%. These specialized reversible hydraulic machines function as both turbines for generating electricity and pumps for replenishing water, serving as the central technology within pumped-storage hydroelectricity systems. Market growth is primarily driven by the critical global demand for large-scale energy storage solutions capable of balancing the intermittent nature of renewable sources like wind and solar power. Furthermore, the urgent need to improve grid stability and frequency control reinforces the widespread adoption of these dual-purpose units, a driver distinct from technological trends such as digitalization.

Nevertheless, the market faces significant challenges due to the heavy initial capital costs and extended development timelines required for civil engineering works, factors that can slow project execution. Despite these financial obstacles, the sector demonstrates robust long-term potential fueled by the rising demand for reliable energy infrastructure. Data from the International Hydropower Association in 2025 indicates that the global development pipeline for pumped storage hydropower projects included approximately 600 GW of capacity, reflecting a continued industrial commitment to this technology.

Market Drivers

The growth of Global Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) capacity acts as the main catalyst for the Francis turbine pumps market, rooted in the technology's dominance in high-head reversible applications. As nations accelerate their transition toward net-zero energy systems, these turbines are increasingly utilized in closed-loop PSH facilities to act as "water batteries," managing the storage of surplus electricity. This momentum is demonstrated by significant capacity increases; according to the International Hydropower Association's '2025 World Hydropower Outlook' in June 2025, the global sector commissioned 8.4 GW of new pumped storage hydropower capacity during 2024. This physical expansion is directly linked to a surge in procurement orders for large-scale pump-turbine units, particularly in regions like East Asia where grid flexibility is a key strategic priority.

Concurrently, the integration of variable renewable energy into power grids is altering technical requirements, necessitating advanced designs capable of handling rapid load fluctuations from solar and wind sources. This grid instability promotes the adoption of variable-speed Francis pump-turbines, which offer broader operating ranges and faster response times than conventional fixed-speed models. Illustrating this technological shift, Andritz announced in December 2024 the commissioning of two variable-speed units at the Hebei Fengning Pumped Storage Power Station, marking a major milestone in grid-stabilizing infrastructure. Additionally, the market is supported by asset refurbishment; for instance, Voith completed the second turbine upgrade at New Zealand's Roxburgh hydropower station in September 2025, ensuring ongoing operational efficiency for legacy infrastructure.

Market Challenges

The substantial upfront capital expenditure and prolonged gestation periods associated with civil engineering works significantly impede the growth of the Global Francis Turbine Pumps Market. These projects require massive initial investment and take many years to complete before generating revenue, which increases the financial risk for investors and utility companies. Consequently, securing financing becomes difficult, often leading to delays in final investment decisions and slowing the procurement of essential hydraulic machinery.

This economic burden directly impacts the installation rate of these reversible units, causing actual deployment to trail behind planned capacity. The effect of such resource constraints is visible in the slow pace of infrastructure commissioning relative to global targets. According to the International Hydropower Association, in 2024, the global hydropower sector added only 13.7 GW of new capacity during the previous year, a figure that falls substantially short of the estimated annual requirement to meet net-zero goals. This restricted growth trajectory underscores how capital and time intensity serve as primary constraints on market expansion.

Market Trends

The Global Francis Turbine Pumps Market is increasingly characterized by a strategic focus on refurbishing and modernizing aging assets, driven by the need to extend the operational life of legacy infrastructure. As the global hydropower fleet matures, operators are prioritizing comprehensive upgrades to restore generating capacity and boost efficiency, offering a cost-effective alternative to the extensive civil works required for greenfield projects. This trend addresses the critical issue of asset degradation in older systems by shifting investment toward life-extension programs. According to the International Hydropower Association's '2025 World Hydropower Outlook' from October 2025, nearly 40% of hydropower plants globally are at least 40 years old, highlighting the urgent industrial requirement for large-scale modernization initiatives to maintain energy security.

Simultaneously, there is significant development in fish-friendly and environmentally sustainable designs in response to strict environmental regulations and the global imperative for biodiversity preservation. Manufacturers are innovating hydraulic designs with modified runner geometries, such as blunt leading edges and reduced shear stress, to ensure the safe downstream passage of aquatic life while maintaining high power generation standards. This technological evolution allows hydropower plants to operate in ecologically sensitive regions with minimal biological impact. Highlighting the operational viability of these solutions, Natel Energy reported in October 2024 that its FishSafe Monroe plant achieved 100% turbine availability during the 2024 irrigation season, proving that wildlife-safe designs can deliver reliable performance comparable to conventional turbines.

Key Players Profiled in the Francis Turbine Pumps Market

• General Electric Company
• Toshiba Corporation
• Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
• KSB SE & Co. KGaA
• Wilo SE
• SPX FLOW, Inc.
• Voith GmbH & Co. KGaA
• Hitachi Energy Ltd.

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Francis Turbine Pumps Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Francis Turbine Pumps Market, by Application:

• Irrigation Schemes
• Cooling Water
• Drainage & Flood Control
• Others

Francis Turbine Pumps Market, by End-Use:

• Agriculture & Lift Irrigation
• Building Services
• Power
• Oil & Gas
• Chemical
• Others

Francis Turbine Pumps Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Francis Turbine Pumps Market.

Available Customization

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• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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