Kopa at a Glance
Kopa is a Kraftverk (hydropower plant) located in Volda municipality, within Møre og Romsdal county in western Norway. The facility has been operational since 1936 and remains an active component of Norway's distributed hydropower infrastructure. It is registered with the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) under facility ID 213 and operates within the NO3 electricity price zone.
The plant draws water from the Austefjordvassdraget watershed system, a key hydrological unit in the region. This integration into a larger water system means Kopa's output is influenced by precipitation and runoff patterns across its catchment area, typical of run-of-river or storage-fed hydropower configurations in western Norway.
Ownership and Operator
Kopa is operated under concession by TUSSA ENERGI AS, the primary license holder responsible for the plant's maintenance, operation, and compliance with Norwegian energy regulations. As the main concessionaire, TUSSA ENERGI AS holds the rights and obligations associated with the facility's generation and grid integration.
Understanding the operator's portfolio and track record is important for investors evaluating the stability and management quality of hydropower assets. Detailed information about TUSSA ENERGI AS and its other holdings can be accessed via the owner profile.
Hydrological Context
Kopa draws its water supply from the Austefjordvassdraget watershed. This hydrological system encompasses the precipitation and runoff patterns that feed the plant, making it sensitive to seasonal variations, long-term climate trends, and upstream water management decisions. The watershed's characteristics—including elevation, vegetation, and geology—determine the reliability and variability of water availability throughout the year.
Investors interested in understanding the plant's production potential should review the detailed hydrological data available in the Austefjordvassdraget watershed profile, which includes historical flow data, seasonal patterns, and long-term trends.
Regional Location and Grid Integration
Municipality: Volda County: Møre og Romsdal Electricity Price Zone: NO3
Kopa operates within Norway's NO3 price zone, which covers much of western and central Norway. This zone designation affects the plant's revenue exposure to regional electricity prices and is relevant for portfolio analysis and hedging strategies.
The facility is situated approximately 9.35 km from the nearest Statnett transformer station (66 kV), which provides the primary grid connection point. Proximity to transmission infrastructure is a key factor in operational efficiency and grid stability. The nearest major industrial cluster is Høyanger (Hydro), located approximately 92 km away, representing the broader industrial and energy landscape of the region.
Data Centre Suitability Assessment
Kopa receives a Grade A rating for data centre suitability under HydroSec's assessment framework. This classification reflects the facility's technical and locational characteristics relative to the requirements of modern, energy-intensive computing infrastructure.
A Grade A rating indicates that the plant's profile—including its grid connection, regional location, and operational status—aligns well with potential use cases for secure, renewable power supply. However, the specific capacity constraints and detailed infrastructure requirements are available only to registered users after login, where full technical specifications and sub-scores can be reviewed.
What Becomes Available After Registration
HydroSec's public-tier data provides regulatory status, ownership, and regional context. Upon registration and login, users gain access to:
- Detailed technical specifications: Installed capacity, average annual production, and gross head data
- Advanced suitability scoring: Sub-component ratings for grid stability, latency, power quality, and infrastructure proximity
- Hydrological analysis: Historical flow data, seasonal production patterns, and long-term variability metrics
- Financial benchmarking: Comparative metrics and performance indicators across similar facilities
- Site infrastructure maps: Precise location data, transmission line routing, and access routes
This tiered access model ensures that sensitive operational and commercial data remains protected while providing sufficient transparency for initial due diligence.
Risks and Limitations
Hydrological Variability: Hydropower output is inherently dependent on precipitation and runoff, which fluctuate seasonally and year-to-year. Kopa's production may vary significantly based on watershed conditions, and long-term climate trends could affect reliability.
Regulatory and Concession Risk: The facility operates under a concession granted by Norwegian authorities. Changes to energy policy, environmental regulations, or concession terms could affect operational parameters or profitability.
Grid and Market Risk: As a participant in the NO3 price zone, Kopa's revenue is exposed to regional electricity price volatility. Grid congestion or transmission constraints could limit export capacity or affect pricing.
Infrastructure Aging: The plant has been operational since 1936. While Norwegian hydropower facilities are typically well-maintained, aging infrastructure may require capital investment for refurbishment or modernization.
Data Limitations: This page presents publicly available regulatory data. Detailed financial, hydrological, and technical information requires authenticated access. Investors should conduct comprehensive due diligence before making investment decisions.
No Guarantee of Returns: This page provides factual information only and does not constitute investment advice, a guarantee of returns, or a recommendation. Hydropower investments carry market, operational, and regulatory risks that must be independently evaluated.