News

Fortum plans to rehabilitate 42 MW Untra hydropower plant

Fortum plans to rehabilitate 42 MW Untra hydropower plant

Fortum announced it will invest over SEK700 million (US$64.2 million) from 2023 to 2030 to modernize Untra, one of Sweden’s oldest hydropower plants.

The investment is part of Fortum’s strategic priorities to deliver reliable clean energy and drive decarbonization in industries in the Nordics.

The 42 MW Untra project was constructed on the Dalalven River in late 1911, with the goal to provide Stockholm with electricity, and played an important role in electrifying the Swedish capital during the past century. The capital’s growing demand for electricity exceeded Untra’s capacity in less than eight years, but the powerplant has remained an important part of the Swedish power system, Fortum said.

“The construction of the Untra power plant had a significant impact on the first wave of electrification and today electricity is once more driving our transformation to Net Zero. Hydropower, known for its adaptability and extensive energy storage capabilities, continues to play an important role in our power infrastructure. As a result, investments of this nature are essential to ensure that hydropower maintains its position as a fundamental pillar of the Nordic’s carbon-neutral electricity production,” said Mikael Lemström, executive vice president hydro generation at Fortum.

The renovation will involve the replacement of three turbine units and significant restructuring of the powerplant, all aimed to ensuring Untra’s ability to provide flexibility to the power system and to supply fossil-free electricity. Thanks to the advanced turbine technology being used, the annual electricity production will increase from 270 GWh up to about 300 GWh.

Of the total investment, about half is classified as growth capital expenditure. The investment is already included in Fortum’s committed growth capital expenditure for the years 2023 to 2025. 

Fortum delivers energy in Europe, with its core being “reliable and flexible production methods like nuclear power and hydro power.” The company also is investing in solar and wind power and investigating opportunities in clean hydrogen and new nuclear. In 2022, Fortum produced 44.2 TWh of electricity.