Norway’s Biggest Pumped Storage Plant Could Double Its Capacity
Norway’s hydropower infrastructure is about to get a major upgrade. Statkraft, the country’s largest renewable energy producer, has tapped engineering firm AFRY to explore doubling the energy storage capacity of the Saurdal pumped storage plant—Norway’s largest facility of its kind.
From Francis to Pump Turbines
The Saurdal plant currently boasts a 640 MW capacity, generating roughly 1,400 GWh annually. The AFRY-led study will assess converting its existing Francis turbines—designed for one-way energy generation—into reversible pump turbines. This would allow the facility to store surplus energy by pumping water back into its reservoirs during periods of low demand, effectively turning it into a giant battery.
“Norway’s hydropower potential is immense, and projects like this demonstrate how we can optimize existing infrastructure,” said AFRY’s Ernst Zeller, underscoring the firm’s experience in similar retrofits.
A Flagship Project for the Energy Transition
Christopher Klepsland, AFRY’s VP for Energy Transition, called the Saurdal study a “flagship project,” emphasizing his team’s focus on delivering high-impact results. The upgrade could position Norway as a critical player in Europe’s energy storage landscape, especially as intermittent renewables like wind and solar expand.
The announcement comes amid broader energy sector shifts. The Spring 2025 issue of Energy Global highlights challenges like negative electricity prices in Europe—a symptom of renewable oversupply—and rapid solar deployment. Meanwhile, Full Circle Wind Services recently renewed its O&M contract for 41 UK turbines, signaling continued investment in wind power.
If successful, the Saurdal expansion could provide a blueprint for modernizing aging hydropower assets worldwide—turning them into dynamic tools for grid stability in an era of energy volatility.
