Hafslund - To construct large power plant unit in Glomma

Hafslund has decided to start construction of a new unit at Vamma power plant in Glomma. The project involves a comprehensive upgrading and expansion of the power plant. Century-old units will be replaced by a large, new unit, after which more efficient exploitation of water will produce around 220 GWh of new renewable power.

Vamma power plant is Norway's largest run-of-river power plant. It is 100 years since the first sections of the power plant were commissioned, since when the facility has been expanded in several stages. Vamma currently produces 1,350 GWh of power a year, which equates to 14 per cent of total power consumption in Oslo.

The new unit, Vamma 12, will have an absorption capacity of 500 m3/s, and will generate more than 1,000 GWh of power per annum. Of this figure, 800 GWh will replace production from old units, while around 220 GWh of new power will be generated. The increased power volume is based on new calculations of increased overall absorption capacity and improved efficiency in the power plant.

“Following the modernisation, Vamma power plant will utilise the water in the Glomma even more efficiently. This in turn will generate climate- and environmentally-friendly power equating to the consumption of 11,000 single-family homes,” explains Hafslund’s CEO Finn Bjørn Ruyter.

The investment framework is NOK 920 million. In addition to producing more power, Vamma power plant will be much less vulnerable to downtime and production losses after the expansion. Refurbishment of the other large unit, Vamma 11, can now be postponed, and be implemented without water losses. Construction of Vamma 12 also reduces the need for refurbishment of the oldest units, which will be used in flood periods.

The new power will be eligible for the joint Norwegian-Swedish 'el-certificate' support scheme designed to stimulate more renewable power production.

“With an overall production cost of less than NOK 1 per kWh, Vamma 12 is a cost-effective hydropower project,” comments Ruyter.

The unit will be constructed as a self-contained structure on the west side of Glomma. Construction will start in autumn 2015, and the project is planned for completion in spring 2019. A construction agreement has been signed with the host municipalities Askim and Skiptvet.

“The construction of the unit represents a major and demanding project, which will be implemented with a significant focus on health, safety and the environment,” concludes Ruyter.

Hafslund ASA
Oslo, 1 September 2015

For further information please contact:

Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Heidi Ulmo,
Tel.: +47 909 19 325, e-mail: heidi.ulmo@hafslund.no

Senior Vice President Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Johan Chr. Hovland,
Tel.: +47 917 63 491, e-mail: johan.hovland@hafslund.no

Senior Communication Manager, Kjell Stamgård,
Tel: +47 901 24 135, e-mail: kjell.stamgard@hafslund.no