Statkraft submits application to upgrade 310-MW Aura hydropower plant in Norway

Norwegian state-owned utility Statkraft has submitted a license application to build a new Aura hydropower plant in western Norway, with an estimated investment of NOK 6 billion (USD 585 million/EUR 518 million). This major project will replace the existing two-station facility in Sunndal and increase maximum generation capacity from 310 MW to approximately 810 MW, achieving a 2.5-fold capacity boost without additional water use. The upgraded plant is expected to raise annual electricity output by around 130 GWh, sufficient to power over 130,000 households. Built deeper inside the mountain, the new facility will feature advanced water tunnels and larger turbines, enhancing grid flexibility during peak demand. Aura currently generates over 25% of More og Romsdal county’s electricity. Project manager Are Paulsen stressed the need for modernization to secure a stable power supply for the region’s future. This initiative forms part of Statkraft’s broader 2024 hydropower modernization strategy, which also includes upgrades at Nore I, Nore II, and Mauranger, aiming to increase domestic hydropower capacity by 1,500 to 2,500 MW.