Statkraft has submitted plans seeking approval for the upgrade of Norway’s Nore hydropower plants for 4 billion NOK (USD 385 million). The upgrade license application will be reviewed by Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE). The Ministry of Energy will then make a decision on the license application, also stipulating conditions for the made decision. If given a greenlight, Statkraft will then decide on whether the project can be executed after finalizing on an investment decision.
Reasons warranting the upgrade include the deliver of more electricity on demand and a consequential stabilization of electricity prices. Also sought is the rehabilitation of the close to 100 years old hydropower plants. Statkraft also notes that the upgrade of Norway’s Nore hydropower plants is important “from a nature and environmental perspective”.
The Nore Hydropower Plants Factsheet
Developer: NVE Statskraftverkene
Owner: Statkraft
Operator: Statkraft Energi
Nore 1 Power Plant
Location: Numedalslågen river, Norway
Installed capacity: 212 MW
Average annual production: 1,150 GW
Tidal range: 361 meters (1,184 ft)
Completion date: 1928
Status: Operational
Nore 2 Power Plant
Location: Numedalslågen river, Norway
Installed capacity: 60 MW
Average annual production: 314 GWh
Completion date: 1946
Status: Operational
The Nore Hydropower Plants
Nore power plant consists of two hydropower plants: Nore 1 and Nore 2. They are located in the Numedal watercourse in Nore og Uvdal municipality in Buskerud, Norway. The Nore hydropower plants use two reservoirs that rise to heights of between 727 meters to 750 meters. Additionally, after construction 97 years ago, the Nore 1 Power Plant also has the status of a cultural heritage site in Norwegian power production.
The Planned 4 Billion NOK Upgrade
Statkraft’s plans for the upgrade of Norway’s Nore hydropower plants for 4 billion NOK (USD 385 million) has been presented in two alternatives.
Alternative 1 – the preferred alternative
Combine the two hydropower plants into one plant inside the mountain area. The new plant gets a new intake in Tunhovd fjord, new waters ways, and a new outlet to Norefjorden. This will double the current operational capacity from 274 MW to 500 MW. The merger will also increase electricity production by approximately 200 GWh to about 1,700 GWh.
Alternative 2
Statkraft’s second alternative for the 4 billion NOK upgrade of the Nore hydropower plants is to have them each moved into the mountain from where they are currently located.
The new Nore 1 will have a new intake in Tunhovd fjord, new water ways, and a new outlet. This alternative will increase Nore 1 power plant’s capacity to 268 MW, and consequentially increase production to around 1,300 GWh. Nore 2 hydropower plant will retain its current intakes and inlet channels, but get a new outlet to Norefjorden. The upgrade will increase Nore 2’s capacity to 69 MW, and see to an annual production of over 300 GWh.
Outlook on the planned upgrade
According to the project manager at Statkraft, Hanne Kristin Ommedal, the upgrade to Nore the hydropower plants will be important “for both the region and Norway”. This will be especially so from the expected increase in capacity and renewable energy production. A move that will not only help guarantee sustainable energy supply, but also reduce price peaks.
However, the final upgrade decision on the planned 4 billion NOK Nore hydropower plants upgrade still depends on whether the submitted application license in granted, or not. Factors determining the granting of upgrade licenses such as this one, and actual project execution include the economic feasibility of the project, environmental impact, etc.
Statkraft also has plans to upgrade the capacities of other power production plants in the coming years. The goal is to have a 20% increase which translates to between 1,500 MW to 2,500 MW increase in installed capacity.
