Illvatn pumped storage power plant
Project status
Ongoing
Hydro's largest hydropower development in over 20 years
Illvatn pumped storage power plant is Hydro's largest hydropower development in over 20 years and will provide 107 GWh of new, annual renewable power for aluminum production in Norway. The power plant is established as a mountain facility in Fortunsdalen in Luster municipality, and is an important contribution to increased balance and flexibility in the Norwegian power system.
Client:
Hydro Energi
Market segment:
Hydrotechnics
Start date:
Completion date:
State:
Vestland
Country:
Norway
About the project
Illvatn pumped storage power plant is an extensive mountain facility with about nine kilometers of tunnel between the regulating reservoirs Fivlemyrane and Illvatn.
A new waterway is blasted out in the mountain between the reservoirs, and the power station is established inside the mountain on the east side of Fivlemyrane. A pressure tunnel is built up to Illvatn, an access tunnel to the station area, and necessary shafts and gate systems for safe operation. The construction site with the rig area is located at Fivlemyrane, around 1,000 meters above sea level, with access via construction road up Fortunsdalen. Parts of the project area are roadless and are served by helicopter as the only means of transport. New permanent roads, cable installations, and deposit areas adapted to the terrain and construction operations are also established.
The facility is installed with a Francis pump turbine that can both generate power and pump water between the reservoirs, contributing to more efficient utilization of the water resources in the system.
Customer and societal value
Illvatn pumped storage power plant provides increased access to renewable energy and contributes to a more robust and balanced power system. With new annual power production of 107 GWh, the energy supply to Norwegian industry is strengthened, while water loss in the Fortun system is reduced.
The project facilitates increased power production in the winter half-year, when demand is greatest, and contributes to better utilization of existing regulation reservoirs. The goal is also to realize the project with net zero loss of prioritized nature, thereby taking into account both natural values and long-term resource management.
Through the development, activity and value are created locally in Luster municipality, while the project contributes to the national effort to transition to more renewable energy.
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Contact
Kristine Landsnes Augustson
Director: Market, Offers and Calculation in Construction
Imbjør Hådi
Senior Advisor: Customer and Market