More hydropower from Jostedalen?

From Bakkedalen, where the plan is to locate the intake for the transfer of water to Leirdøla 250 m below the hill farm, which will not be affected by the development.

From Krundalen, with Røykjedalen to the right, one of the eight rivers which will feed Leirdøla Power Plant.

Vestsideelvane and Vigdøla
One project involves the transfer of water from eight tributaries on the western side of Jostedalen to the Tunsbergdal reservoir and Leirdøla Power Plant. In this way the power plant’s existing reservoir, penstock and discharge tunnels can be used. The second project is the construction of Vigdøla Power Plant on the eastern side of Jostedalen, where the new power plant will be located inside the mountain, adjacent to the existing Jostedal power station. Together, these projects could provide around 170 GWh of new electricity output. 

Reducing flooding from the western tributaries
Floodwater from the western tributaries has previously resulted in major damage to houses, roads, bridges, farm buildings and arable land in the Jostedal area. Local communities have long demanded that the water from these rivers be diverted to feed Leirdøla Power Plant. Now Statkraft has come up with a solution which is both environmentally and financially sound, and which also solves many of the problems associated with these rivers’ damaging floods.

Making use of existing facilities 
Vigdøla Power Plant exploits a fall of water from a height of approx. 600 m down to sea level. The power station will be situated inside the mountain adjacent to the existing Jostedal power station, and it will be possible to use shared penstock and discharge tunnels, as well as power distribution grid. The transfer of water from the western tributaries leads more water into the Tunsbergdal reservoir, the feeder reservoir for Leirdøla Power Plant, which will enhance its utility. The advantage of both these projects is that they make extensive use of existing production facilities and infrastructure. They will result in only minor interventions in the landscape and an extremely efficient use of available water.

Information meetings
In May 2006 an extensive information process was undertaken. This involved Luster District Council, Sogn og Fjordane Energiverk (co-owner of Leirdøla Power Plant), Luster Energiverk, landowners in Vigdalen, Leirdalen and Krundalen, Statkraft’s own employees in Gaupne, and finally the media. In February 2007 several meetings were held with local landowners, and a well-attended public meeting was staged in Jostedalen. 

Statkraft intends to seek a dispensation for Vigdøla Power Plant from the Overall Plan, and will publish an impact report on the western tributaries. Additional public meetings will be held locally at a later date, in connection with the ongoing deliberations of the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE). 

Project contacts:

• Anders Korvald, project manager, +47 2406 7155, mobile: +47 9585 6207 
  Email: anders.korvald@statkraft.com 
• Norman Kjærvik, information manager, +47 5768 9207, mobile: +47 9953 9750
  Email: norman.kjarvik@statkraft.com  
• Dag Smedbold, regional manager, +47 5768 9202, mobile: +47 9592 0223 
• Jan Riise, environmental manager, +47 2406 8337
  Email: jan.riise@statkraft.com 
• Tormod Nes, electro/mechanical engineering, +47 7169 4312 
• Tormod Kristiansen, land/waterfall rights, +47 7572 3404
  Email: tormod.kristiansen@statkraft.com
• Anders Solheim, land/waterfall rights, +47 7572 3407