Great Excitement as the New Flateland Hydropower Plant in Vegusdal Opens
4 September 2024

150 people made their way to the Flateland Power Plant in Agder County, Norway on Thursday 29.8.2024. Member of Parliament Gro-Anita Mykjåland (Sp) cut the ribbon during the official opening of the new power plant. “We need many more projects like Flateland, and we need them before 2030. Much more renewable energy can be developed in Norway. To achieve this, small-scale hydropower is an important and powerful contribution”, said Mykjåland, who is also a member of the Energy and Environment Committee in the parliament.

Mykjåland highlighted the good collaboration between engaged landowners, local subcontractors, and stakeholders who can contribute to construction and financing, as good inspiration for other small hydropower projects around the country.

The entire village was invited to the opening, which featured speeches, tours, refreshments, and cultural performances. Around 150 festive participants were present during the opening.

Member of Parliament Gro-Anita Mykjåland cutting the ribbon at the opening with the help of Suomen Voima’s CEO Pekka Saijonmaa, and landowner Are Flateland.

Enough Energy for All Households in the Municipality

The Flateland Power Plant has been under construction since 2021 and will produce 47 GWh of renewable energy, which is enough for all households in Birkenes – plus about 500 more.

Suomen Voima Oy is the largest owner of the power plant with a 90% ownership. In addition, 15 minority shareholders own 10 percent. The Norwegian hydropower company Cadre AS operates the power plant, and Suomen Voima leases the water rights from the landowners. Tinfos AS has been the general contractor for the plant. The Flateland power plant adds up to the Suomen Voima’s hydropower portfolio by making it already the eighth operating small-scale hydropower plant that the company owns in Southern and Western Norway. “Flateland project has been exceptional not only for the outcome but also for the process where all stakeholders and local people have been brought together to make this happen. We want to thank Cadre and Tinfos for the key roles in the project as well as landowners and other stakeholders for their contribution”, says Pekka Saijonmaa, the CEO of Suomen Voima.

“It requires a lot of knowledge and steady hands to carry out the work done here. The collaboration between us, the landowners, and others has been crucial. The authorities, with NVE in the lead, have done important and good work here. They have facilitated the process but have also set strict and clear requirements”, says Carl-Fredrik Lehland, the CEO of Cadre.

The Flateland Power Plant has been built in record time.

“Thanks to good collaboration with the contractor Tinfos, we were able to start production three months ahead of schedule. The power plant has been in trial operation since January 2024, and all experiences so far show that everything is working as it should”, says Lehland.

Flateland Power Plant was completed within the budget and ahead of schedule.

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