Background 
The government has stated that “the time for building major new hydropower schemes is over”. The “Helgeland Opportunities” project, among others, proved that it is possible to exploit already regulated river systems in a better way – both with regard to electricity output and environmental protection.

Implementation
By means of this project we will attempt to make use of some of the results which emerged from the “Helgeland Opportunities project. We will carry out surveys of both our own and other regulated river systems to establish a basis for comparison. The following river systems are involved: Aura/Eira, Mår, Tokke-Vinje, Bjølvefossen, Surna, Røssåga, Kjennsvatn, Høyanger, Hatteberg/Rosendal, the Luster district and Rullestad in Åkrafjorden. The project will provide additional insight into issues which are relevant to hydropower production, eg changes in water flow in connection with audits, the water directive, etc. 

Results:

• To contribute expertise and methodologies such that exploited and unexploited hydropower resources are managed in a better, more balanced way with respect to both electricity production and the environment
• The regulatory authorities, energy companies and various interest groups should be able to use the project’s results
• Analyses, proposals and cases showing opportunities for optimising power output and environmental considerations in the same river system and by looking at several river systems as one
• Rough outlines and proposals for improvements in river management which the parties involved can implement directly or use as a starting point for further development
• Maintain and develop Norway’s national hydropower expertise