GE Vernova's hydropower division has been selected by Hafslund Eco to provide new rotorpoles for the Aurland-1 Hydropower Plant's 280MW water-cooled generators in Norway. The replacement of the rotorpoles will ensure the long-term efficiency of the generators and contribute to the plant's continued renewable energy production.
The Aurland-1 Hydropower Plant, Hafslund Eco's largest facility, has been delivering 840MW of renewable energy to Norway since its construction between 1969 and 1989. The refurbishment program, encompassing the servicing of the water-cooled generators, is scheduled to take place between the summer of 2025 and 2027.
The assembly of the rotorpoles will be carried out at GE Vernova's Norway Services Workshop located in Lier. By combining the generator service with the plant's refurbishment program, Hafslund Eco aims to optimize downtime and streamline the overall process.
Water-cooled generators offer notable advantages over their air-cooled counterparts, including a power output increase of up to 20-30% and improved overall efficiency. These generators operate at lower temperatures and minimize ventilation losses, making them an ideal choice for maximizing energy output.
GE Vernova's hydropower business has established its expertise in delivering components for projects in Norway and beyond, reinforcing its reputation in the industry. Tormod Kleppa, Director of Projects at Hafslund ECO, expressed satisfaction with the collaboration, stating, “We are happy to be working with GE on this project. The servicing of our Aurland-1 Hydropower Plant is an important undertaking, and we are confident in GE's ability to deliver the new Rotorpoles alongside the refurbishment program.”
Norway heavily relies on hydropower, with over 90% of its power generation stemming from this renewable source. The country's impressive installed base of approximately 33 GW demonstrates its commitment to sustainable energy. Pascal Radue, Hydropower President & CEO of GE Vernova, highlighted Norway's role in the energy transition, stating, “Norway has been an inspiring example of how hydropower can contribute to the energy transition by delivering a large amount of renewable energy in the very long term. We are thrilled to partner with Hafslund ECO on this service project.”
See also: Norwegian Energy Giants Eidsiva and Hafslund Collaborate to Boost Onshore Wind Power
As the global energy sector seeks to enhance efficiency and extend the lifespan of existing hydropower plants, refurbishment initiatives like this one become vital. The collaboration between GE Vernova and Hafslund Eco exemplifies the industry's commitment to optimizing renewable energy production without the need for extensive dam reconstructions.
