ABB pumped storage hydropower control systems will be deployed as part of a major renewable energy project in Norway, following the company’s selection by Hydro Energi for the Illvatn development.
The pumped storage power plant, currently under construction approximately 320 kilometres northeast of Bergen, is expected to deliver a net increase of 107 GWh in annual renewable energy production. The project forms part of Hydro’s broader strategy to secure long-term renewable electricity supply for industrial operations, including aluminium production.
ABB will supply a range of control and electrical systems for the facility, supporting both operational efficiency and system integration.
ABB pumped storage hydropower control systems
The ABB delivery includes a Distributed Control System (ABB Ability™ System 800xA®), cybersecurity solutions, medium-voltage switchgear, transformers, low-voltage AC and DC systems, as well as instrumentation for vibration monitoring and installation services.
Pumped storage hydropower plays a critical role in balancing energy supply by storing excess electricity and releasing it when demand increases. In the Illvatn project, water will be pumped from the Fivlemyrane reservoir at 1,018 metres above sea level to Illvatn at 1,382 metres, increasing storage capacity by approximately 90 million cubic metres.
This configuration is expected to deliver a gross production increase of 210 GWh annually, with a net gain of 107 GWh after accounting for energy used in pumping.
Supporting flexible renewable energy systems
The project is part of the Fortun hydropower system, one of Norway’s largest regulated power networks, drawing on water resources from a mountainous catchment area in Sogn.
By increasing storage and flexibility, the system can shift energy production from periods of surplus in summer to higher-demand winter months, improving grid stability and supporting industrial energy needs.
Construction began in November 2025, with operations expected to commence by the second quarter of 2030.
Infrastructure and sustainability considerations
As part of the development, a 13-kilometre transmission line will connect Fivlemyr power station to Sveinsøystølen. Notably, the project will use aluminium pylons rather than traditional steel or composite structures, reflecting efforts to explore alternative materials in infrastructure construction.
The Illvatn project represents Hydro’s largest hydropower investment in more than two decades and is positioned as a key component in strengthening renewable energy supply for industrial production.
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Image: Illvatn location, Hydro Energi – Photographer: Bosko Janjusevic
