Transient stability of a multi‐unit hydroelectric generating system significantly influences the safety operation of power stations. The uncertainty of operating parameter is one of the important factors to influence the system stability during the transient process. For this reason, the target of this paper aims to explore the optimised operating parameter in order to enhance the stability of a multi‐unit hydroelectric generating system. To overcome the limitations of existing methods in literature, a new high‐dimensional, complex and non‐linear dynamic model of the multi‐unit hydroelectric generating system that combines the conventional hydro‐turbine governing system and the shaft system is established. Then, the dynamic behaviour of the proposed system targeting the transient process is exhaustingly investigated with the change of the critical parameters. The calm interval of critical parameters is also determined in order to improve the transient stability of the system. The obtained results not only enrich the theoretical knowledge of transient dynamics but also ensure the safety operation of hydropower stations. Meanwhile, the presented research method, high‐dimensional non‐linear dynamic model and the interesting findings in transient process can promote the development of the theory of non‐linear dynamics.