Proterra Energy is a Scottish renewable energy specialist, providing expert design, installation and maintenance of small scale hydro systems, helping clients across Scotland generate reliable, sustainable power. With years of experience in servicing, repair and troubleshooting, Proterra Energy ensures your hydro systems run efficiently and safely, delivering long-term value and environmental benefits.
Your hydro system works quietly in the background, converting the natural flow of water into reliable renewable power. But like any energy system, it needs regular attention to keep it performing at its best.
At Proterra Energy, we specialise in servicing, maintenance and repair for hydro installations, typically up to 500 kW, helping owners get the best performance and longest life from their systems.
Contact us to discuss your hydro servicing project.
Water may be free, but hydro systems work hard. They have the highest load factor of all renewables in Scotland.
Over time, debris, wear and seasonal changes can affect performance. Bearings wear, screens clog and electrical components age. Regular maintenance keeps your output consistent and prevents small issues becoming major faults.
A well-maintained hydro scheme can run efficiently for 20 years or more. Scheduled servicing helps protect that investment.
Our scheduled maintenance plans are tailored to each site, the type of turbine and its load factor, but typically include:
Each visit concludes with a performance report and clear recommendations.
Even the best hydro systems can lose efficiency over time. Common warning signs include:
Our engineers use a step-by-step diagnostic approach to identify the root cause quickly. We carry out on-site repairs where possible and have access to replacement parts for most major turbine and control system brands.
Yes. We regularly maintain and upgrade systems that weren’t originally installed by us. Whether you have an older hydro or a bespoke offgrid system, we can inspect, service and support it.
We also offer retrofit upgrades — including improved control systems, better intake design or remote monitoring options — to bring older systems up to current standards.
When components fail or reach the end of their life, we can help with:
We source high-quality, durable components and ensure all repairs are compliant with current safety and electrical regulations. Spares obsolescence is becoming an important aspect of maintaining systems over 10 years old. Identifying and stocking critical spares is therefore also important.
Preventative maintenance is the most cost-effective form of servicing. Regular cleaning and inspection reduce the risk of costly downtime and extend system lifespan.
For example, a simple bearing replacement or screen cleaning can restore lost efficiency and prevent major mechanical failure. Annual pigging can restore 10-15% of performance losses.
Our clients often find that one day of maintenance saves weeks of lost generation.
Modern control systems allow us to monitor performance remotely. If your hydro system has remote data access, our technicians can:
If not, we can retrofit a monitoring package to make ongoing maintenance simpler and smarter.
With good maintenance, the core structure of a hydro system — intake, penstock, turbine house — can last 30–40 years. Electrical components may need replacing every 10–15 years, depending on use.
A strong servicing plan ensures that replacements are planned, not reactive — avoiding costly interruptions.
All servicing and maintenance is carried out by Proterra Energy technicians experienced in small-scale hydro. We understand rural and estate locations, remote sites and environmental sensitivities.
Our team combines electrical, mechanical and civil expertise, so we can take care of the whole system — not just the turbine.
Costs depend on access, system size and location. We provide clear, upfront quotations and service plans with no hidden extras. Typically costs can be between £750 – £1,500.
Most inspections can be done with minimal downtime. If shutdown is required, we plan it around your flow and generation patterns.
Yes, we regularly maintain small scale hydro systems, including battery-linked and hybrid installations. Off-grid systems (design, installation, commissioning, servicing) is one of our key specialisms. Our staff credentials and experience provide us with the expertise to manage off-grid systems for businesses across Scotland, particularly the Highlands and Islands.
Yes. We provide rapid-response call-outs for urgent repairs to get your system generating again quickly.
Based in Inverness we are ideally positioned to serve all the Highland and Islands of Scotland. Whilst many of our schemes are in the Highlands, we have sites across mainland Scotland as well as providing the occasional support for international Clients.
Proterra Energy has over a decade of experience designing, installing and maintaining hydro systems across the UK and beyond.
Our focus on small to medium-scale renewable systems means we understand the realities of rural operation — access, water flow variation and local maintenance capability.
We pride ourselves on being:
A well-serviced hydro system is clean, quiet and reliable — producing renewable power day after day.
Whether you need a routine inspection, performance troubleshooting or a complete refurbishment, Proterra Energy can help. Talk to us today about creating a service and maintenance plan that keeps your hydro investment performing for decades to come.
Get in touch with Proterra Energy directly, or use the form below to request an email or call back and we’ll get in touch as soon as possible.
