Statkraft has commissioned two small hydropower plants in Norway – 8.5MW Vesle Kjela and 8.5MW Storlia — located on opposite sides of the Hardanger mountain plateau.
The Vesle Kjela power plant is located at the top of the Tokke/Vinje regulated watercourse and uses the head from the regulated Kjelavatn Lake in the Haukelifjell mountain area. The Storlia power plant uses a head of 75 m between the Bjoreio River and Sysenvatn Lake in the municipality of Eidfjord as part of the Sima regulation. Each plant provides annual production of about 40 GWh.
“The power plants are good examples of Statkraft’s significant investment in upgrading Norwegian hydropower assets. Vesle Kjela power plant and Storlia power plant were built using existing infrastructure at previous hydropower developments, new technology and cost-effective methods through good cooperation with suppliers,” said Statkraft CEO Christian Rynning-Tønnesen.
Now that these two plants are commissioned, Statkraft’s region South is responsible for the operation and maintenance of 46 hydropower plants. Statkraft is upgrading several large plants in the region. Rehabilitation of the Songa/Trolldalen hydropower facilities has been completed, while major projects at the Kvilldal, Sima, Tokke and Vinje power plants are underway. Several major hydropower dam rehabilitations are being planned as well.
Statkraft says it has invested more than NOK20 billion ($2.1 billion) in Norwegian hydropower plants since 2005.
Statkraft is Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy, producing hydropower, wind power, solar power and gas-fired power and supplying district heating.
