ABB has been selected by Statkraft to modernise the 184MW Vikfalli hydropower complex in western Norway, with work covering three power stations and five generating units.
Located in Vik municipality, around 170km northeast of Bergen, the complex comprises the 24MW Målset, 92MW Refsdal and 68MW Hove power stations. Together, the plants produce around 830GWh of electricity annually.
The order was booked in the second quarter of 2026. Financial details have not been disclosed.
Under the contract, ABB will modernise control, protection, excitation and electrical infrastructure across the complex as part of work intended to extend the operating life of the three plants.
ABB’s scope includes installation of its ABB Ability System 800xA distributed control and monitoring platform, which will be integrated with existing third-party turbine systems to provide a common operational environment across Vikfalli.
The company will also supply UNITROL 8000 excitation systems for all five generating units, alongside low- and medium-voltage electrical systems, vibration monitoring and protection, cyber security and digital systems. The scope also includes cable supply and installation.
According to ABB, the upgraded excitation and protection equipment will support compliance with evolving generator grid codes and provide capabilities needed as increasing volumes of variable renewable generation are integrated into the power system.
“The upgrade of Vikfalli is an important step in strengthening Norway’s renewable energy infrastructure and we worked closely with ABB from the earliest stage to ensure the solution was optimized,” said Inge Hass, Power Plant Manager of group Sogn, Statkraft.
Hydropower accounts for the majority of Norway’s electricity generation and also provides flexibility within the country’s power system and its connections with neighbouring European markets. In June 2026, hydropower accounted for almost 90% of Norwegian electricity generation.
“Hydropower is an important part of an expanding energy system, helping to grow renewable capacity and deliver stable baseload power to the grid,” said Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB’s Energy Industries division. “The priority now is ensuring that existing assets such as Vikfalli are equipped to fulfill that role for future needs with modern control and digital solutions that enable them to run more safely, cleaner and leaner, and to be ready for tomorrow’s grid requirements.”
ABB worked with Statkraft during the early development phase of the project to define and optimise the technical solution before the main contract was awarded.
Site activities at Målset are scheduled to begin in 2028, followed by work at Refsdal and Hove in 2029.
