- New Project Installs ABB’s Dstributed Control System, the company said
- ABB said the work will extend the life of assets crucial for Norway’s energy security.
- ABB said the Vikfalli complex produces 830 GWh annually, sufficient for approximately 53,000 Norwegian homes
ZURICH, Switzerland — ABB has been selected by Statkraft AS to modernize the Vikfalli hydropower complex, comprising three plants in Vik municipality, Norway, with the order booked in the second quarter of 2026.
ABB said in an emailed press release today that the contract covers the complete modernization of the control, protection, excitation, and electrical infrastructure for the plants, located 170 kilometers northeast of Bergen on Norway’s west coast.
Modernization Details
The project scope includes the installation of the ABB Ability System 800xA distributed control system and monitoring platform. This system will integrate with existing third-party turbine systems to create a unified operational environment across the complex.
The contract also covers the deployment of UNITROL 8000 excitation systems for all five generating units within the Målset (24 MW), Refsdal (92 MW), and Hove (68 MW) power stations.
Further modernization efforts encompass advanced cybersecurity, low and medium voltage electrical systems, vibration monitoring and protection, digital solutions, and cable supply and installation. ABB stated that the integration of modern excitation and protection systems supports compliance with evolving grid codes for generators and enhances stability and resilience in a power system accommodating increasing variable renewable energy.
Strategic Importance
The upgrade is aimed at extending the life of assets critical to Norway’s provision of reliable, low-carbon electricity. Hydropower is responsible for almost 90 percent of Norway’s total electricity generation. Statkraft’s Power Plant Manager of group Sogn, Inge Hass, stated that the upgrade is a significant step in strengthening Norway’s renewable energy infrastructure.
Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB’s Energy Industries division, emphasized hydropower’s role in expanding energy systems and providing stable baseload power. He noted the importance of equipping existing assets like Vikfalli with modern control and digital solutions to ensure they meet future grid requirements.
Project Timeline
ABB collaborated with Statkraft from the early development phase to define and optimize the technical solution before the main contract was placed. Site activities at Målset are scheduled to commence in 2028, with work at Refsdal and Hove to follow in 2029. Financial details of the order, booked in the second quarter of 2026, were not disclosed.
Hydropower Context
Hydropower is the world’s third-largest source of electricity, representing approximately 14 percent of global electricity production in 2024. New capacity is projected to grow by more than 154 GW by the end of the decade.
Norway generates approximately 90 percent of its electricity from hydropower, serving both domestic supply and as a balancing resource for interconnected European markets.