Statkraft has submitted an application under the Norwegian Water Resources Act to the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) to construct Mølnelva Power Plant. The Mølnelva is a tributary of the Lakselva river, which flows out into Beisfjorden in Narvik in northern Norway.

Mølnelva Power Plant will be a typical small-scale power plant without a regulating reservoir. The picture shows the place on the river where Statkraft is applying to construct the intake dam.

A forward-looking government purchased the waterfall rights for the Mølnelva and the land required to lay pipes and construct the power station some one hundred years ago. 

Mølnelva Power Plant will be a typical small-scale power plant without a regulating reservoir. The watercourse has low self regulation, which means it is not expected to be possible to operate the power plant in cold and dry winters. 

The height of the waterfall will be around 285 m, and it is planned to pipe the water from the intake dam to the power station using a 4.26 MW turbine. Annual power production will be 12.8 GWh, while the construction price is put at NOK 2.35/kWh. 

Impact studies conclude there will be few negative consequences for fish and biological diversity. 
As the Mølnelva is a source of drinking water for the Beisfjord community, special consideration has been taken of consumer interests in this area. 

The release of a minimum rate of water flow from the intake dam of 63 l/s for the whole year has been proposed. As a general rule, the NVE needs at least one year to reach a decision on a licence following the submission of a small-scale power application.