Eiriksdal Power Plants

The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) backs Eiriksdal Power Plant in Høyanger. The NVE is recommending that the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (OED) grant Statkraft a licence to construct Eiriksdal Power Plant in Høyanger in Sogn og Fjordane in Norway. Together with the intake reservoir, Høgsvatnet, Eiriksdal Power Plant will form part of the existing Høyanger facilities and will generate 92 GWh of new, pure energy.

CHANGES: The construction of Eiriksdal Power Plant will make it possible to remove the overhead power transmission lines and lead more water back in to the Daleelva river. The K2 power station pictured here will be closed down.

However, the NVE will not be recommending the transfer of Isvotni because it believes that the drop into Lånefjorden can be used to expand small-scale power plants, and that this could generate more energy.

Statkraft applied for the licence in November 2005. The OED is now finalising the case.

Construction of the Eiriksdal alternative would allow Statkraft to increase the total output of its Høyanger facilities by 92 GWh per year. The water which is now transferred to other river systems could be led back into the Daleelva river. This would result in a higher and more stable water flow, and better migration and spawning conditions for fish. It would also be possible to make substantial improvements to the environment in Dalsdalen, with overhead power transmission lines being replaced by underground cables. Two old power plants could be closed down and the land restored.   

With construction work getting underway in 2008 and lasting for three years, Statkraft can look forward to putting a new, environment-friendly hydropower plant into operation in 2011/2012.