Alta Hydropower Plant Overview
Alta is a hydropower generation facility (Kraftverk) located in Finnmark, Norway's northernmost county. [1] The plant is situated in the municipality of Alta and operates within the NO4 electricity price zone. [2][3] Commissioned on 20 May 1987, [4] Alta draws water from the Altavassdraget watershed system, [5] making it a strategically positioned asset within Norway's renewable energy infrastructure.
Ownership & Operator
The primary concession holder for Alta is STATKRAFT ENERGI AS, [6] one of Norway's major hydropower operators. Statkraft Energi AS holds the active concession status (as registered with the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, NVE). [7] This ownership structure ensures professional management aligned with Norwegian regulatory standards and international best practices in hydropower operations.
Hydrological Context
Alta draws its water supply from the Altavassdraget watershed, [8] a critical hydrological system in northern Norway. Understanding the catchment characteristics is essential for assessing seasonal production patterns, water availability, and long-term yield stability. Detailed hydrological data—including precipitation patterns, runoff coefficients, and multi-year flow statistics—is available to registered users on the HydroSec platform.
Regional Location & Grid Integration
County (Fylke): Finnmark [9] Municipality: Alta [10] Electricity Price Zone: NO4 [11]
Alta operates within the NO4 price zone, which reflects the regional electricity market dynamics of northern Norway. The plant is positioned approximately 0.31 km from the nearest Statnett transmission substation at Sautso, [12] ensuring efficient grid integration and minimal transmission losses to the national high-voltage network.
The nearest major industrial zone is Finnfjord (Skaland), located approximately 230 km away. [13] This geographic context is relevant for understanding potential power purchase agreements and industrial off-take opportunities in the region.
Data Center Suitability Assessment
HydroSec rates Alta with a Grade A for data center power supply compatibility. [14] This assessment reflects the plant's capacity to support mission-critical infrastructure requirements, with estimated maximum DC load capability of approximately 31 MW. [15]
A Grade A rating indicates:
- Reliability: Active concession status and established operational track record since 1987
- Grid proximity: Short distance to transmission infrastructure (Sautso substation)
- Scalability: Sufficient capacity headroom for enterprise-grade power demands
- Regulatory compliance: Full NVE registration and Norwegian grid code adherence
This qualitative assessment is based on infrastructure proximity, operational history, and grid integration factors. Detailed technical specifications, sub-scores, and site-specific constraints are available to authenticated users.
What Becomes Available After Registration
The public profile above provides foundational context. Upon account registration and verification, HydroSec users gain access to:
- Installed capacity (MW) and maximum output specifications
- Average annual production (GWh) and multi-year yield data
- Gross head (meters) and detailed topographic analysis
- Hydrological time series: precipitation, runoff, and seasonal flow patterns
- Sub-component scores: grid stability, environmental compliance, market access
- Transmission infrastructure mapping: detailed voltage levels and distance metrics
- Comparative benchmarking: performance against similar plants in Finnmark and NO4 zone
These data points are essential for institutional investment analysis, due diligence, and portfolio optimization.
Related Plant Types & Exploration
Alta is classified as a Kraftverk (hydropower generation plant). Investors interested in comparative analysis may explore other facilities of the same type, or use the interactive map of all Norwegian hydropower plants to identify complementary assets in the Finnmark region or NO4 price zone.
Risks and Limitations
Data Availability: This public profile contains summary information derived from NVE registers and HydroSec's data aggregation. Specific operational metrics—installed capacity, annual production, and head height—are withheld pending user authentication to comply with data protection protocols.
Hydrological Variability: Hydropower output is subject to precipitation and runoff fluctuations. Historical production data does not guarantee future yields. Climate variability, drought cycles, and upstream water management decisions can materially affect generation.
Regulatory & Concession Risk: Hydropower operations depend on active NVE concessions. Changes to environmental regulations, water discharge requirements, or concession renewal terms may impact operational flexibility and profitability.
Market Risk: Electricity prices in the NO4 zone fluctuate based on regional supply-demand dynamics, interconnection flows, and European market conditions. Power price volatility affects revenue streams.
Grid & Infrastructure Risk: Transmission constraints, substation capacity limits, or grid stability requirements may restrict output during peak demand periods or constrain market access.
Disclaimer: This page provides factual, data-driven information for institutional investors. It does not constitute investment advice, financial recommendation, or legal guidance. Users should conduct independent due diligence, consult qualified advisors, and review current NVE filings before making investment decisions. HydroSec makes no warranty regarding the completeness or accuracy of third-party data sources.