ONE Nordic has secured a contract to replace the electrical and control systems at the Bjurfors Nedre hydroelectric power plant, a facility owned by Statkraft and located in Vindeln Municipality, Västerbotten County, approximately 50km northwest of Umeå. The plant, which commenced operations in 1959, boasts an installed capacity of 78MW and generates approximately 348GWh of electricity annually – sufficient to power around 17,000 homes. It features three Kaplan turbines operating at a gross head of 20m.
The four-year modernisation project, valued at over SEK 80 million, will involve a comprehensive overhaul of the plant’s electrical and control systems, including upgrades to its turbines and dam infrastructure. This initiative is part of Statkraft’s broader strategy to enhance the efficiency and safety of its aging hydropower assets in Sweden. Notably, between 2010 and 2012, Statkraft invested SEK 57 million in dam safety improvements at Bjurfors Nedre.
In 2017, the plant’s third turbine underwent significant refurbishment, including the installation of a new runner, which increased its output from 28MW to 32MW. This upgrade was part of a broader modernisation program for both Bjurfors Nedre and its upstream counterpart, Bjurfors Övre, which was commissioned in 1961 and has a capacity of 42MW
Jörgen Vidström, CEO of ONE Nordic Hydro, said the company is confident the upgrade will optimize operations for Statkraft, noting the firm’s extensive experience in modernizing hydropower facilities in Sweden.
