Statkraft AS has submitted a license application to upgrade the Alta hydropower plant in Norway, aiming to increase electricity production by up to 20%. The plan involves installing a third turbine to use water that currently bypasses the plant during floods, with minimal environmental impact. The water flow in the salmon-carrying section of the Alta River would remain unchanged.
The Alta plant, built in the 1980s, was originally designed for three turbines, but only two were installed due to grid limitations in Finnmark at the time. With the local power grid now reinforced, Statkraft says it can generate more electricity by using floodwater that currently passes the plant.
“It is important to make the most of the water that has already been regulated for power production. If this project is carried out, we will be able to produce more electricity by using the floodwater, with limited additional impact on nature and the environment,” explained Maren Sisilie Joné, Regional Director at Statkraft. “Alta is an important national salmon river and holds great value for both the local community and local businesses. The environmental condition of the Alta River is good, and the operational regulations will remain unchanged. We have kept the owners of the fishing rights in the river (ALI) informed throughout the planning process, and we consider it essential that the salmon habitat remains at least as well-preserved as it is today. We believe this is safeguarded in the plans we have now submitted to NVE.”
Statkraft acknowledged that the upgrade could affect reindeer grazing areas during construction.
“The Alta hydropower plant is located in a core area for Sámi livelihoods and cultural practices. The power plant has strong historical references, and we are very conscious of this as we assess the opportunity to upgrade the plant. For this reason, involvement from the reindeer herding community is a key part of the process of preparing the license application. Over the past year, the affected siidas have worked with us to develop solutions where both parties have made adjustments and taken measures so the project can be carried out. We are pleased to have secured agreements already with the most affected siidas, 23A Válgenjárga and 23C Jalgon, even before the application was submitted, where they agree to the project if Statkraft is granted a license,” Joné added. Dialogue with other siidas and districts is ongoing.
The license application has been submitted to the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), which will conduct a public consultation as part of the process. If approved, Statkraft could complete the project by 2030.
“Finnmark needs to facilitate further business development. Access to electricity plays an important role in creating new jobs. Statkraft is an important player in Northern Norway, and with an upgrade of the Alta power plant we will strengthen that position even further,” Joné said.
The Alta project is part of Statkraft’s wider plan to invest up to NOK 55 billion in upgrading and maintaining Norwegian hydropower.
“Statkraft has managed Norwegian hydropower for 130 years. We are now entering a phase where many power plants need to be modernized to produce electricity in a changing power system. We have previously announced projects at Mauranger in Western Norway, Nore in Eastern Norway, and Aura in Central Norway, where we are also building the new Svean hydropower plant. We are now submitting a license application for the upgrade of Alta. We are an energy company with a presence throughout Norway, working in close cooperation with municipalities, businesses, and local interests wherever we operate,” said Pål Otto Eide, Senior Vice President for Development, Nordics at Statkraft.
