Operations Analyst

Statkraft applies for licence to build new Høyanger K5 hydropower plant. August 21, 2026 03:37 ET | Source: Statkraft AS (Høyanger, 21 August 2026) Statkraft applies for a licence from the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) to build a new Høyanger hydropower plant and Breidal hydropower plant in Høyanger municipality. The hydropower plants will replace the existing Høyanger K5A and K5B hydropower plants and provide more renewable power for the industry and increased flexible capacity, without new reservoirs or additional water resources. In May, Statkraft announced plans to invest NOK 80 billion in Norway over the next ten years. A new Høyanger K5 hydropower plant is an important part of the plan to upgrade and further develop Norway's hydropower assets. The investment framework for the development is just under NOK 3 billion. Høyanger K5A and K5B were commissioned between 1965 and 1979 and have played an important role in the development of Høyanger as an industrial community. The plants are in good condition, but several key components have limited remaining lifetime. The alternative to a new plant would be extensive reinvestments in the existing facilities. Statkraft is therefore applying to build new power plants that makes better use of the regulated water resources while securing power production for many decades to come. "This is a project that will deliver more power and greater flexibility from a watercourse that is already regulated. When older hydropower plants are facing major reinvestments, we must assess whether the resources can be utilised more efficiently," says Pål Otto Eide, Senior Vice President Development Nordics at Statkraft. The existing plants have a combined installed capacity of around 109 MW and annual production of approximately 700 GWh. The new plants are being applied for with a combined installed capacity of around 257 MW and estimated annual production of approximately 780 GWh. This represents an increase of around 10 per cent in annual renewable power production and an improved ability to produce when demand for power is high. "Increased capacity and flexibility in the Norwegian power system are important for society. With this project, we can get more out of existing regulations and contribute more production during periods of high demand," says Eide. If a decision to build the power plants is taken, the construction period is estimated at four to five years. The project will generate local and regional ripple effects through the purchase of goods and services. At the same time, construction work will cause local inconvenience, including traffic, noise, dust and temporary rig areas. "Hydropower projects must be assessed thoroughly. Even though this project builds on existing regulations, it will have impacts on the environment and the local community. Through the licensing process, the benefits and disadvantages will be weighed against each other, and the Høyanger community will have the opportunity to provide input during the consultation," Eide continues. Statkraft has been in dialogue with Høyanger municipality and other stakeholders about the plans for several years. NVE will now process the licence application and, as usual, submit it for consultation. The municipality, affected parties, sector authorities, organisations and others may provide input. If the project is granted a licence and demonstrates sufficient profitability, an investment decision will be made, and a detailed environmental and landscape plan will be prepared before construction work can begin. Facts about the new Høyanger K5: * Will replace the existing Høyanger K5A and K5B plants with a new Høyanger K5 hydropower plant and Breidal hydropower plant. * Increases installed capacity from around 109 MW to around 257 MW. * Increases annual production by around 10 per cent, from approximately 700 GWh to approximately 780 GWh. * Does not involve additional water resources, new reservoirs or changes to existing regulation limits. Media contact: Geir Fuglseth, Statkraft AS: +47 913 70 572

Statkraft strengthens reliability of Norwegian hydropower assets with Vikfalli investment. (IN BRIEF) Statkraft will invest approximately NOK 460 million in new control systems for the Vikfalli hydropower system in Vik municipality, Norway, covering the Målset, Refsdal and Hove power plants, which together produce around 860 GWh annually, equivalent to the electricity consumption of about 50,000 Norwegian households. The project includes a full renewal of control systems, as well as upgrades to auxiliary and common systems, with ABB selected as supplier and local contractors involved at different stages. The upgrades are intended to improve operational reliability, remote control, monitoring, troubleshooting and long-term sustainable power production, while preparing the facilities for future grid upgrades developed with Statnett and Sygnir, including a planned transition of transmission and regional grids to 420 kV around 2031, subject to approvals. The Vikfalli modernisation forms part of Statkraft's broader plan to invest around NOK 80 billion in Norway over the next decade, including approximately NOK 70 billion for hydropower. (PRESS RELEASE) OSLO, 19-Aug-2026 - /EuropaWire/ - Statkraft will invest approximately NOK 460 million in new control systems for the power plants that make up the Vikfalli hydropower system in Norway. The modernisation programme is designed to strengthen operational reliability and support stable, dependable power generation for decades to come. Vikfalli is located in Vik municipality and consists of the Målset, Refsdal and Hove power plants. Together, the three plants produce around 860 GWh of electricity annually, equivalent to the consumption of approximately 50,000 Norwegian households. The system is therefore an important source of stable and flexible energy for the region. Inge Hass, Statkraft's power plant manager in the Sogn power plant group, said Vikfalli is an important power system for the region and that the work now being carried out is essential to ensure safe future operations. He said Statkraft is renewing critical systems that are central to production. Renewing critical systems The project includes a complete renewal of the control systems at the Vikfalli power plants, as well as upgrades to auxiliary and common systems. Statkraft described the control systems as the "brain" of the power plants, where operation, monitoring and regulation of electricity production take place. Hass said the time has come to replace these systems. He said modernising the control systems will reduce the risk of faults and outages while improving monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities. The upgrades are expected to increase reliability, improve remote-control functions and support more efficient operations. The aim is to ensure robust and sustainable power production over the long term. ABB has been selected as supplier of the new control systems. Several local contractors will also be involved at different stages of the project. Part of a broader upgrade programme In addition to the control system upgrades, Statkraft is planning major investments to adapt the facilities to grid upgrades in the area. This work will be carried out in cooperation with Statnett and Sygnir as part of a separate project preparing for the transition of the transmission and regional grids to 420 kV. The grid-related work is planned to begin around 2031, subject to the necessary approvals. The control system upgrades must be completed before that work begins and are therefore an important prerequisite for further development. Hass said Statkraft sees the modernisation as the first step in a broader development of the facilities and the regional power system. By carrying out the work now, the company is preparing Vikfalli for future developments. Part of Statkraft's NOK 80 billion investment plan in Norway The Vikfalli upgrade reflects the type of work Statkraft plans to prioritise in the coming years. The company, which currently produces around one-third of Norway's electricity, recently announced plans to invest approximately NOK 80 billion in Norway over the next ten years. Of this amount, around NOK 70 billion is expected to be allocated to hydropower. Most of the investments will go toward major maintenance of existing power plants, helping ensure continued production from water resources that have already been developed. The investment programme includes replacement of technical equipment, strengthening of dams, and maintenance and improvement of waterways. Some older facilities will also be replaced with new ones to make better use of available water resources. Statkraft said the investments are expected to generate economic ripple effects nationally and regionally, including contracts for contractors, activity in the supplier industry and increased value creation in local communities. Through the Vikfalli project, Statkraft is renewing critical hydropower infrastructure while preparing the regional power system for future grid requirements and long-term renewable energy production. Media Contact: Andreas Tinglum Head of Media Relations Norway Telephone: +47 930 01 773 E-mail: [email protected] MORE ON STATKRAFT, ETC.: EDITOR'S PICK:

Statkraft selects ABB to modernise three Norwegian hydropower plants. ABB has been selected by Statkraft AS to upgrade the Vikfalli hydropower complex in Vik municipality, 170 km northeast of Bergen on Norway's west coast. The group of three plants produce 830 GWh/y, which is enough electricity for approximately 53 000 Norwegian homes. The order was booked in 2Q26. Financial details were not disclosed. The contract covers the complete modernisation of the control, protection, excitation, and electrical infrastructure, extending the life of assets that are essential to Norway's delivery of reliable, low-carbon electricity - with hydropower responsible for almost 90% of total electricity generation in June 2026. The Vikfalli project comprises three power stations - Målset (24 MW), Refsdal (92 MW) and Hove (68 MW) - with a total of five generating units. ABB's project scope includes installation of the ABB Ability(TM) System 800xA(R) distributed control system and monitoring platform, which will be integrated with existing third-party turbine systems to provide a unified operational environment across the complex. The contract covers complete modernisation and will deploy UNITROL(R) 8000 excitation systems for all five generating units, advanced cyber security, low and medium voltage electrical systems, vibration monitoring and protection, digital solutions, cable supply, and installation. The integration of modern excitation and protection systems supports compliance with evolving grid codes for generators and contributes stability and resilience capabilities essential in a power system that accommodates growing volumes of variable renewable energy. "The upgrade of Vikfalli is an important step in strengthening Norway's renewable energy infrastructure and we worked closely with ABB from the earliest stage to ensure the solution was optimised," said Inge Hass, Power Plant Manager of group Sogn, Statkraft. Hydropower is the world's third-largest source of electricity, representing approximately 14% of global electricity production in 2024. New capacity is expected to grow by the end of the decade, with more than 154 GW forecast to come online. The sector is particularly strong in Norway, which generates approximately 90% of its electricity from hydropower for both domestic supply and as a balancing resource for interconnected European markets. "Hydropower is an important part of an expanding energy system, helping to grow renewable capacity and deliver stable baseload power to the grid," added Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB's Energy Industries division. "The priority now is ensuring that existing assets such as Vikfalli are equipped to fulfil that role for future needs with modern control and digital solutions that enable them to run more safely, cleaner and leaner, and to be ready for tomorrow's grid requirements." The order was secured after ABB worked alongside Statkraft from the early development phase to define and optimise the technical solution before the main contract was placed. This approach reflects a shift in how major owners of critical energy infrastructure are procuring long-life upgrades, bringing technology partners in earlier to reduce risk and improve outcomes. Site activities at Målset are scheduled to commence in 2028, with Refsdal and Hove to follow in 2029. For more news and technical articles from the global renewable industry, read the latest issue of Energy Global magazine. The Summer issue of 2026 is out now! The new issue starts with a regional report on Latin America and the Caribbean, considering the benefits and challenges of renewable energy development in the region. The issue also covers topics such as lubricants, digitalisation, the importance of ports, battery storage technology, and more! With contributors from industry leaders including ABB, WindEurope, Sungrow, among others, this is an issue not to miss. Embed article link: (copy the HTML code below):