Local collaboration and minimal environmental impact were the focus when Småkraft AS built its second power plant at Alsåker.
Only local contractors were in action when the Øvre Alsåker Power Plant was constructed. The groundbreaking happened on May 10, 2022, and the first kWh was produced on June 6 last year.
– Øvre Alsåker Power Plant is the second we have built in the same river. Ytre Alsåker Power Plant further downstream produced its first kWh almost exactly 16 years ago, said David Inge Tveito, Operations Director at Småkraft AS, during the official opening of the power plant on Wednesday this week. With 4.77 MW, the new power plant provides a normal production of 13.32 GWh. This will supply clean, renewable energy to about 660 households.
Aiming for Minimal Environmental Impact
The Environmental Inspectorate of NVE inspected the site this fall and were very pleased with the landscaping and terrain restoration that has been done. – Hydropower is a renewable natural resource, but it is also important that we take care of the nature around us in a good way during the development. The two power plants here at Alsåker are a very good example of effective utilization and minimal environmental impact when building power plants. Between the power plants, there is a larger waterfall that is a visible landscape element from the Hardangerfjord. This has remained completely untouched by the developments, said Tveito. After Småkraft signed a contract with Hywer AS for the total construction, Hywer hired only local subcontractors. – I am very happy that we have so many skilled local contractors that it was possible to build the power plant only with them. Granvin Maskinstasjon AS teamed up with Hardanger Fjellboring from Granvin. Nedrevaag from Kinsarvik and Samland and Skarstein from Herand were also involved in the construction, and Energi Teknikk from Rosendal supplied the electromechanical equipment, said Tveito in his speech. Helge Skaaluren from Energi Teknikk in Rosendal said it was quite exciting to transport the large turbine and generator on the ice this winter. – We had to finally haul them up with a dumper, he said. Additionally, both Småkraft and the four landowners were very satisfied with their cooperation. Øvre Alsåker Power Plant is one of Småkraft’s 235 power plants in operation.
