ABB Technology to Support Long-Life Upgrade of Norway’s Vikfalli Hydropower Complex

Machine hall at Refsdal hydro power plant (credit: Statkraft)

(IN BRIEF) ABB has been selected by Statkraft AS to modernize the Vikfalli hydropower complex in Norway, covering three plants — Målset, Refsdal and Hove — with five generating units and annual production of 830 GWh, enough to supply around 53,000 Norwegian homes. The project includes installation of the ABB Ability™ System 800xA® distributed control system and monitoring platform, UNITROL® 8000 excitation systems, electrical infrastructure, cyber security, vibration monitoring and protection, digital solutions, cable supply and installation. The modernization is intended to extend the life of key hydropower assets, strengthen Norway’s renewable energy infrastructure and support grid stability as more variable renewable energy is integrated. ABB worked with Statkraft from the early development phase to define and optimize the technical solution, with site activities at Målset planned to begin in 2028 and work at Refsdal and Hove expected to follow in 2029.

(PRESS RELEASE) ZURICH, 18-Aug-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — ABB has been selected by Statkraft AS to modernize the Vikfalli hydropower complex in Vik municipality, located around 170 kilometres northeast of Bergen on Norway’s west coast.

The project covers three hydropower plants that together produce 830 GWh of electricity annually, enough to supply approximately 53,000 Norwegian homes.

The order was booked in the second quarter of 2026. Financial details were not disclosed.

The contract covers the full modernization of the complex’s control, protection, excitation and electrical infrastructure.

The upgrade is intended to extend the operating life of important renewable energy assets that support Norway’s reliable, low-carbon electricity supply.

Hydropower accounted for almost 90 percent of Norway’s total electricity generation in June 2026.

The Vikfalli project includes three power stations: Målset, with a capacity of 24 MW; Refsdal, with 92 MW; and Hove, with 68 MW.

Together, the three stations operate a total of five generating units.

ABB’s scope includes the installation of the ABB Ability™ System 800xA® distributed control system and monitoring platform.

The system will be integrated with existing third-party turbine systems to create a unified operational environment across the hydropower complex.

The contract also includes the deployment of UNITROL® 8000 excitation systems for all five generating units.

In addition, ABB will provide advanced cyber security, low- and medium-voltage electrical systems, vibration monitoring and protection, digital solutions, cable supply and installation.

The integration of modern excitation and protection systems will support compliance with evolving grid codes for generators.

It will also contribute to the stability and resilience needed in a power system increasingly designed to accommodate growing volumes of variable renewable energy.

Inge Hass, Power Plant Manager of group Sogn at Statkraft, said the upgrade of Vikfalli is an important step in strengthening Norway’s renewable energy infrastructure.

He said Statkraft worked closely with ABB from the earliest stage to ensure the solution was optimized.

Hydropower is the world’s third-largest source of electricity, representing around 14 percent of global electricity production in 2024.

New hydropower capacity is expected to grow by the end of the decade, with more than 154 GW forecast to come online.

The sector is particularly important in Norway, where hydropower generates approximately 90 percent of the country’s electricity.

It supports domestic electricity supply and also serves as a balancing resource for interconnected European markets.

Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB’s Energy Industries division, said hydropower is an important part of an expanding energy system because it helps increase renewable capacity while delivering stable baseload power to the grid.

He said the priority now is to ensure that existing assets such as Vikfalli are equipped for future requirements through modern control and digital solutions.

Holsten added that these solutions can help plants operate more safely, cleanly and efficiently while preparing them for tomorrow’s grid requirements.

The order was secured after ABB worked with Statkraft from the early development phase to define and optimize the technical solution before the main contract was placed.

ABB said this reflects a shift in how major owners of critical energy infrastructure are procuring long-life upgrades, with technology partners being involved earlier to reduce risk and improve outcomes.

Site activities at Målset are scheduled to begin in 2028.

Work at Refsdal and Hove is expected to follow in 2029.

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SOURCE: ABB