The hydropower station’s total capacity has now expanded from 250MW to 350MW.
The power plant produces about 2.15TWh of electricity per year, which can serve about 100,000 Norwegian households. The number is equal to 1.6% of the country’s total production.
Located in Hemnes municipality, the plant first started operations in 1950s.
The refurbishment of the power plant began in spring of 2012 and was considered as one of the largest hydropower projects in Norway. After completing the expansion, trial operations took place between July and August this year.
At the old power station, there were three power producing units which were rehabilitated and three other units were decommissioned.
At the same time, a new power station with one large power unit has been built. The new station has been built inside the mountain and is placed next to the old power station.
Statkraft claims that for the first time, new waterways were made through a tunnel boring machine in Norway. About 19km of new tunnels have been drilled for the project.
At its peak, the project created more than 300 jobs and the total budget for the project was about NOK2bn ($250m).
Statkraft also added that the project has had a positive impact on the environment. Conditions of fish including salmon and sea trout in Rossaga had improved.
With the project, water has been returned to a stretch of the river which comprises about 30% of the spawning basis throughout the Rossaga river system.
Image: Workers examining one of the river tunnels leading to the Nedre Rossaga hydropower plant. Photo: Courtesy of Statkraft AS.
