Quality has history

HACKER is a solid family-operated Brazilian with German roots, which designs, engineers and manufactures high-performance hydraulic turbines and equipment for the power generation market in Brazil and around the world. For over 70 years, our history has been marked by pioneering spirit, ingenuity and dedication to the art of developing the best mechanical and hydraulic solutions to serve demanding needs.
Our story began in 1951, when Carlos Emilio Hacker manufactured his first hydraulic turbine, a small “Michel-Banki” crossflow turbine measuring 185 mm in diameter, to solve the needs of his grain mill. Carlos was a skilled builder and carpenter, and soon his application attracted the attention of many other farmers and residents of de-electrified rural Brazil in the 1950s.


By the early the 1960s, more than a thousand micro-turbines had already been built by Carlos Hacker, who often also installed this equipment. In 1965 he built his first Francis turbine, an “open box” model measuring 45 cm in diameter, which was already capable of running mills, sawmills and other heavier equipment. In 1967, Carlos manufactured his first Francis turbine with a complete spiral case. His son Armando followed all manufacturing and installation activities together with his father.
In 1974, his family moved from Erechim – RS to Xanxerê -SC, and continued manufacturing turbines and other mechanical equipment there, also expanding its operations to other states in the south and center-west of Brazil. In the early 1980s, the company became even more structured with the arrival of Celso Knöner in the company board, meeting a growing demand for turbines, regulators and other equipment, especially in the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul.
The search for new technologies drove Hacker to develop the first Kaplan turbine manufactured in Brazil, with double regulation and integrated regulator, in the late 1980s. With strategic partnerships and a lot of determination, Hacker became a reference in the manufacture of high-performance turbines, serving all regions of Brazil, and providing solutions for several countries around the world. In addition to Kaplan turbines, Hacker is also a pioneer in the national manufacture of Bulb turbines, dominating the low-head energy generation market in Brazil.


Today Hacker enjoys a privileged position, with more than 70 years of history, solid factory facilities, cutting-edge technology, capable engineering, and the same ability to innovate, so necessary today to solve the challenges of a market mature and at the same time complex as energy in Brazil.
Hacker. Quality has history.

Our Cases
Discover some of our main recently implemented projects. You can filter by turbine type and discover more detailed information.
Click here to see our projects around the world
- All
- Francis
- Kaplan
- Bulbo
- Pelton

Campina Grande do Sul/PR 🇧🇷
• Construction: PCH Novo Horizonte
• Model: Francis
• Head: 259.4 m / 851.04 ft
• Speed: 900 rpm
• Quantity: 02
• Unit Power: 12 200 kW

Rondonópolis/MT 🇧🇷
• Construction: PCH Rondonópolis
• Model: Francis
• Head: 60.5 m / 198.49 ft
• Speed: 450 rpm
• Quantity: 03
• Unit Power: 9 150 kW

PCH Ijuí Centenária 🇧🇷
• Construction: PCH Ijuí Centenária
• Model: Francis
• Head: 36 m / 118.11 ft
• Speed: 450 rpm
• Quantity: 02
• Unit Power: 3 800 kW

Varginha/MG🇧🇷
• Construction: PCH Boa Vista II
• Model: S Jusante Kaplan
• Head: 15.96 m / 52.36 ft
• Speed: 240 rpm
• Quantity: 03
• Unit Power: 10 300 kW

Indiavai/MT🇧🇷
• Construction: PCH Figueirópolis
• Model: S Jusante Kaplan
• Head: 14.86 m / 48.75 ft
• Speed: 150 rpm
• Quantity: 02
• Unit Power: 10 100 kW

Faxinal dos Guedes/SC🇧🇷
• Construction: PCH Celso Ramos
• Model: S Montante Kaplan
• Head: 32.89 m / 107.90 ft
• Speed: 514,29 rpm
• Quantity: 02
• Unit Power: 4 300 kW