ABB to modernise hydropower complex
16/10/2026
ABB has been selected by Statkraft to modernise the 184 MW Vikfalli hydropower complex in western Norway, with work covering three power stations and five generating units.Located in the Vik Municipality, around 170 km north-east of Bergen, the complex comprises the Målset (24 MW), Refsdal (92 MW) and Hove (68 MW) power stations. Together, the plants produce around 830 GWh of electricity annually.
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| Målset power station Image courtesy of PeltonMan (CC BY-SA 3.0) |
The order was booked in the second quarter of 2026. Financial details have not been disclosed.
Under the contract, ABB will modernise control, protection, excitation and electrical infrastructure across the complex as part of work intended to extend the operating life of the three plants.
ABB’s scope includes the installation of its ABB Ability System 800xA distributed control and monitoring platform, which will be integrated with existing third-party turbine systems to provide a common operational environment across Vikfalli.
The company will also supply its UNITROL 8000 excitation systems for all five generating units, alongside low- and medium-voltage electrical systems vibration monitoring and protection, cyber security and digital systems. The scope also includes cable supply and installation.
According to ABB, the upgraded excitation and protection equipment will support compliance with evolving generator grid codes and provide capabilities needed as increasing volumes of variable renewable generation are integrated into the power system.
Hydropower accounts for the majority of Norway’s electricity generation and also provides flexibility within the country’s power system and its connections with neighbouring European markets. In June 2026, hydropower accounted for almost 90% of Norwegian electricity generation.
ABB worked with Statkraft during the early development phase of the project to define and optimise the technical solution before the main contract was awarded.
Site activities at Målset are scheduled to begin in 2028, followed by work at Refsdal and Hove in 2029.
