Ingeteam to Supply INDAR Motor Generator for Illvatn Pumped Storage Project in Norway
Ingeteam has signed a contract with Norwegian electricity producer Hydro Energi, part of the industrial group Norsk Hydro ASA, to supply a 56 MVA INDAR motor generator and a soft starting system for the Illvatn Pumped Storage Project, located in Luster Municipality, Vestland County, Norway. The new pumped storage plant will pump water from Fivlemyrane to the Illvatn reservoir, increasing storage capacity by 90 million cubic metres and enabling higher winter electricity production, when power demand in Norway is at its peak. The facility is expected to deliver approximately 107 GWh of new renewable energy annually, primarily supporting aluminium production in the country. As part of the contract, Ingeteam will supply one 56 MVA INDAR motor generator (11 kV, 750 rpm) together with a soft starting system, providing a reliable and efficient solution for the plant’s operation.
Pumped Storage Project Strengthens Norway’s Hydropower System
The project is located in the Breheimen high mountain area, close to Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier on the European continent. The remote location, limited accessibility and harsh winter conditions represent significant logistical and construction challenges that must be carefully managed during project execution. Once operational, the Illvatn plant will work in coordination with several existing hydropower facilities in the region. The pumped storage scheme will improve the utilisation of local water resources by reducing seasonal energy losses caused by limitations in the current system.
Commissioning of Illvatn Pumped Storage Plant Planned for 2030
The project represents Hydro Energi’s largest energy investment in the past 20 years and forms part of the company’s strategy to strengthen reliable renewable power supply for its industrial operations. Hydropower plays a crucial role in ensuring competitive electricity costs for Norsk Hydro, one of the world’s leading aluminium producers. Founded in 1905, Norsk Hydro has been a pioneer in the development of Norway’s hydropower resources. The company was responsible for building one of Europe’s earliest large-scale hydropower plants in Notodden, which enabled the world’s first industrial production of nitrogen fertilizer based on electricity. Preparatory works for the Illvatn project have already begun, with commissioning scheduled for August 2030. Through this project, Ingeteam reinforces its position as a key technology provider for advanced hydropower solutions, contributing to the development of flexible renewable energy infrastructure and supporting the continued optimisation of Norway’s hydropower system.