Å Energi will upgrade the bottom outlet gate at Hanefoss Dam in Birkenes municipality between June and August as part of its ongoing programme to maintain and modernise hydropower infrastructure.
The existing gate was installed in 1958 and, while it has been continuously maintained, now requires more extensive refurbishment to ensure continued safe and stable operation, according to Jan Erik Eldor, Executive Vice President for Hydropower at Å Energi.
The project will include sandblasting and surface treatment of the gate structure, replacement of seals and mechanical upgrades intended to improve reliability and extend operational life.
Hanefoss Dam serves as the intake reservoir for Hanefoss Hydropower Plant, which has an installed capacity of 22MW and annual generation of around 120GWh. The facility uses two Francis turbines and is supplied by a reservoir with a 71m head to the outlet at Herefossfjorden.
The work is not expected to require lowering the reservoir water level.
Lysaker & Thorrud AS has been awarded the main contract for the project, which has an investment value of approximately NOK 5 million.
The upgrade forms part of Å Energi’s broader investment programme, which includes around NOK 11.5 billion in spending on existing assets and new hydropower projects through to 2035. In April, the company announced it would be upgrading gates at the Åmli hydropower plant in Norway.
