Statkraft Aims to Produce More Electricity at Alta Hydropower

Statkraft Aims to Produce More Electricity at Alta Hydropower

Statkraft has submitted a license application for an upgrade of the Alta power plant, located in Finnmark County, Norway. The company is aiming to add a third turbine to utilize water currently bypassing the plant during floods. Production could increase by up to 20%, with minimal new environmental impact. The water flow in the salmon-carrying stretch of the Alta River will not be changed.

The turbine is a part of the installation that generates electricity from the energy in the water. When the Alta power plant was built in the 1980s, the facility was designed to accommodate three turbines, but only two were installed due to grid limitations in Finnmark, Norway at the time. Since the power grid has been reinforced in recent years, it can now handle more electricity.

Over the past year, the affected siidas (or organizations within the reindeer herding community) have worked with Statkraft to develop solutions where both parties have adjusted and taken measures so the project can be carried out. According to the company, it has already secured agreements with the most affected siidas, 23A Válgenjárga and 23C Jalgon, even before the application was submitted, where they agree to the project if Statkraft is granted a license. Dialogue with other siidas and districts is still ongoing.

The license application is now being submitted to NVE, The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, which will carry out a broad public consultation as part of the licensing process. If NVE grants a license, Statkraft will decide whether to carry out the project, which could be completed at the earliest by 2030.

Courtesy of Statkraft.

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