Statkraft to Boost Aura Output by 2.5 Times in Norway’s Clean Energy Push

Statkraft is preparing to make its most significant hydropower investments in decades, aiming to modernize and expand some of Norway’s key renewable energy assets. Among the flagship projects under consideration is the Aura hydropower plant, which could soon undergo a major transformation to become one of the country’s most powerful generation facilities.

Located in Møre og Romsdal, the Aura power plant has played a crucial role in regional electricity production since 1953. It consists of two stations, Aura and Osbu, and sits near Hydro Sunndal—Europe’s largest and most advanced aluminium facility, as well as Norway’s biggest electricity consumer.

Statkraft has applied for a licence to build a new, larger power station deeper inside the mountain, along with a new tunnel to carry water from the Osbu reservoir. The proposed upgrade would replace the existing turbines with significantly larger ones, boosting the plant’s maximum capacity from 310 megawatts to around 810 megawatts—more than doubling its current output. The same volume of water would be used far more efficiently, maximizing the plant’s contribution to the grid.

“Electricity is the backbone of our society and the foundation for value creation across the country. Many hydropower plants now require modernisation. At the same time, growing demand and increased production from intermittent energy sources mean we need to be able to generate more electricity exactly when it is needed. By building a new Aura power plant, we can deliver more capacity – and slightly more energy – without adding more water. That’s what the future renewable energy system needs,” said CEO Birgitte Ringstad Vartdal. 

Once completed, the upgraded Aura plant will be among Norway’s largest hydropower stations in terms of capacity. It will also be better equipped to supply electricity during periods of peak demand, enhancing the flexibility and resilience of the energy system. In an average year, annual energy production is expected to increase by around 130 gigawatt-hours, enough to power more than 130,000 Norwegian households.

“Aura has been in operation for over 70 years and needs to be upgraded in the coming years. To ensure a stable and sufficient power supply for the region well into the future, we believe the best solution is to build an entirely new power plant,” said project manager Are Paulsen. He notes that Aura currently delivers more than a quarter of the electricity produced in Møre og Romsdal. 

This initiative is part of a broader push by Statkraft to modernize its hydropower fleet. In 2024, the company also submitted licence applications for upgrades to the Nore I and Nore II plants in Buskerud, as well as the Mauranger facility. Together, these projects signal a new era of investment in hydropower, ensuring that Norway continues to lead in renewable energy for decades to come.