The power station was completed in 2015, utilises a fall of 157 m, has a nameplate capacity of 9.9 MW, and produces 33 GWh of power to 1,700 households.
The world's most beautiful hydropower plant
Øvre Forsland power station has garnered international recognition for its unique architecture, designed by Stein Hamre Architects. In a global competition in May 2016, the power station won the prestigious American architectural award Architizers 2016 A+ Awards. Amongst the 400,000 votes from 100 countries was a fascination for green energy production adapted to Norway's unique nature, which impressed everyone most in the architecture and sustainability class
Future-orientated energy production
"We hope that through the development of the Øvre Forsland power station we have shown that Helgeland Kraft is an innovative and environmentally-aware energy developer. With Øvre Forsland power station, we have made provision for recreational areas, and we have utilised the water resources sensitively without these noticeably coming into conflict with the environmental values of the area," says Torkil Nersund, Production Manager at Helgeland Kraft.
Sustainable solutions
Some of the environmental measures have included building roads with low embankments and bridges of laminated wood that fit well into the terrain. Architecturally, the power station is inspired by the spruce forest in the area. It is lit internally and designed as a hiking destination externally.
See the film from Helgeland Kraft on the construction process and the beautiful scenery surrounding the plant.
Photo: Helgeland Kraft AS