The new facility, which was built with an investment of €100m, houses approximately 2,000 Alstom employees including over 400 engineers and marks the completion of an upgrade program, without interrupting the production.

Though upgrade program was in progress, the Tianjin site has successfully manufactured and supplied four 800MW class units to China’s Xiangjiaba hydropower plant.

Under the program, the company has upgraded the existing hydropower industrial facility and built a new production area as well as a global technology centre (GTC), which is part of Alstom’s global R&D network.

The GTC will carry out R&D activities for all types of hydropower equipment including mechanics, hydraulics and electrical disciplines for turbines and generators, model tests of Francis and Kaplan turbines.

Alstom Renewable Power president Jerome Pecresse said that the new site opening in China shows its commitment to bring its technology and innovation to local customers.

"Tianjin site now offers a hydropower full value chain with a complete array of activities. It will play a pivotal role in the future growth of Alstom in China and the Southeast Asia market," added Pecresse.