Strong confidence for VEO’s hydropower expertise in Norway

VEO has just signed a contract with a new customer, Helgeland Kraft, to provide a complete electrical modernisation of Fagervollan hydropower plant, in the region of the Norwegian town Mo i Rana. The power plant was commissioned in 1990 and has an installed capacity of 23 MVA and an annual production of 65 GWh.

As a turnkey delivery, VEO will supply new control and automation systems for the generator unit and the station functions. The AC distribution system, the 24kV switchgear Vector and the control panels included in the delivery are from VEO’s own product range, designed and built at the factory in Vaasa. The project also includes the modernisation of the 12kV and 132kV systems as well as the DC systems. The emergency power generator will also be renewed and the cabling system will be modernised to increase personal safety levels and to comply with today’s standards.

Although this will be the first time that Helgeland Kraft and VEO work together, Helgeland Kraft was convinced that when it comes to hydropower partners in Norway, choosing VEO was a safe decision, due to VEO’s good reputation and strong local presence in Norway.

”VEO turned out to be solution oriented and presented an offer that showed a very well-planned project execution. VEO is a new supplier for us, and after having checked some of their hydropower references in Norway, we felt completely at ease placing the power plant in their capable hands. ” –Per-Arne Fagerli, Project Manager, Helgeland Kraft

After having modernised two hydropower plants, Hellefoss (owned by Hellefoss Kraft AS where EB Kraftproduksjon, now Glitre Energi Produksjon, is a co-owner) and Døvikfoss (owned by EB kraftprodkusjon, now Glitre Energi Produksjon) VEO has now signed a contract to carry out the electrical modernisation of Djupdal powerplant (owned by Glitre Energi Produksjon) with an option for the modernisation of Skollenborg powerplant (owned by Skollenborg Kraftverk DA where Glitre Energi Produksjon is the majority owner).

First off is Djupdal, which is a typical run-of-river power plant with an installed capacity of 15 MW and an annual production of 84 GWh. The power plant has been operational since 1976 and has had no larger modernisations.

VEO supplies new control and automation solutions as a turnkey delivery, including excitation, as well as the modernisation and renewal of all voltage levels in the power plant. The AC and DC systems are to be renewed and the 8kV, 24kV and 132kV systems are to be modernised. In river power plants, the water level regulation is extremely important from an environmental perspective. The power plant is therefore being modernised using VEO’s regulator, which is the result of decades of experience and development.

The modernisation of Skollenborg power plant, on the same river as Djupdal but downstream, is included as an option in the contract. Skollenborg is a larger power plant with two Kaplan turbines of 48,5 MW each and an annual production of 414 GWh. VEO’s scope is similar to that for Djupdal with the renewal of control systems, excitation, AC/DC, cable systems and other modifications needed.

”VEO presented a good offer and had great flexibility finding the technical solutions we need. We have cooperated with VEO in a couple of power plant projects previously and we have been very satisfied with their services. We know VEO and VEO knows us; the cooperation runs smoothly when both parties know what is expected. We are looking forward to seeing Djupdal and Skollenborg shine as new power plants when VEO has modernised them.” – Stein Ødegaard, Project Manager, Glitre Energi

Solid experience forms strong customer relationships

“VEO has worked with hydropower projects in Norway for almost 30 years. It is great to see that we continuously expand our customer network, and that our existing customers have continued confidence in us.” – Viktor Forss, Managing Director, VEO AS

The contracts with Helgeland Kraft and Glitre Energi were signed in December 2018 and both projects got started right away. Fagervollan and Djupdal will be shut down for the modernisation work during the early autumn 2019 and both power plants will be re-opened for commercial use before Christmas 2019.

More information

Viktor Forss, Managing Director, VEO AS, +47 916 70 699, viktor.forss@veo.no

New customer – Helgeland Kraft