Hydropower Plant Detail

Svorka Hydropower Plant

Svorka is an operational hydropower facility in Surnadal, Møre og Romsdal, serving the NO3 price zone. Owned and operated by Statkraft Energi AS since 1963.

Svorka at a Glance

Svorka is a Kraftverk (conventional hydropower plant) located in Surnadal municipality, Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. The facility has been operational since 1963 and is registered with the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) under ID 421. It operates within the NO3 electricity price zone and is the primary responsibility of STATKRAFT ENERGI AS, Norway's largest hydropower operator.[1][2]

Ownership & Operator Context

STATKRAFT ENERGI AS holds the main concession for Svorka.[1] As a subsidiary of Statkraft, one of Europe's leading renewable energy companies, the operator brings substantial technical and financial resources to the management of this facility. The concession status with NVE is currently active, confirming ongoing legal authorization to generate electricity.[3]

For detailed information about Statkraft's portfolio, regulatory filings, and investment structure, visit the operator profile page.

Hydrological Context

Svorka draws water from the Bøvra watershed, a key catchment area in the Møre og Romsdal region.[4] The hydrological characteristics of this system—including seasonal runoff patterns, precipitation distribution, and storage capacity—directly influence the plant's operational profile and energy output. Detailed hydrological data, including gross head, installed capacity, and annual production estimates, are available to registered users in the HydroSec platform.

Regional & Infrastructure Setting

Location: Surnadal, Møre og Romsdal Electricity Price Zone: NO3[5] Concession Status: Active[3] Operational Since: 1963[6]

The facility operates within Norway's southern and western grid region (NO3), which encompasses Møre og Romsdal and surrounding areas. The nearest Statnett transmission substation is approximately 8.99 km away, supporting integration with the national high-voltage network.[7] The nearest major industrial cluster is Sunndalsøra (Hydro), approximately 41 km distant, reflecting the plant's position in a moderately developed hydropower and industrial corridor.[8]

Data Center Suitability Assessment

HydroSec's preliminary assessment rates Svorka as Grade A for data center cooling applications, with estimated capacity of approximately 4 MW. This rating reflects the plant's operational status, geographic accessibility, and infrastructure proximity. However, this is a qualitative indicator only; detailed technical specifications, site-specific constraints, and sub-component scores are available exclusively to registered users.

The Grade A assessment suggests favorable conditions for evaluating Svorka as part of a diversified renewable energy infrastructure portfolio, particularly for energy-intensive operations requiring stable, long-term power supply.

What You'll Access After Registration

The HydroSec platform provides registered users with comprehensive, non-public data on Svorka, including:

  • Technical Specifications: Installed capacity (MW), gross head (m), turbine type, and efficiency metrics
  • Production Data: Historical annual output, seasonal variation, and multi-year trends
  • Hydrological Analysis: Detailed catchment characteristics, precipitation patterns, and runoff forecasts
  • Financial & Regulatory: Concession terms, grid connection details, and regulatory compliance status
  • Site Infrastructure: Precise location mapping, access routes, and proximity to industrial clusters
  • Risk Assessment: Environmental constraints, climate exposure, and operational resilience factors

Risks and Limitations

Data Availability: Certain technical and financial details—including exact installed capacity, annual production figures, and detailed cost structures—are restricted to registered users and not publicly disclosed by NVE or the operator.[9]

Regulatory Changes: Hydropower concessions in Norway are subject to periodic review and potential modification by NVE. Changes to environmental regulations, water rights, or grid connection requirements could affect operational parameters.[10]

Hydrological Variability: Long-term energy output depends on precipitation and runoff patterns, which are subject to climate variability and long-term climate change. Historical production data does not guarantee future performance.

Infrastructure Dependencies: The plant's output is contingent on stable grid connection and transmission capacity. Upgrades or constraints on the Statnett network could affect dispatch and revenue stability.

Market Risk: Electricity prices in the NO3 zone fluctuate based on supply, demand, and regional transmission constraints. Wholesale price exposure is inherent to hydropower operations in deregulated markets.

This page presents factual, non-marketing information sourced from NVE and HydroSec's proprietary database. It does not constitute investment advice, financial guidance, or a recommendation to acquire, hold, or divest any asset. Investors should conduct independent due diligence and consult qualified advisors before making decisions.

Frequently asked questions

Who owns and operates Svorka?

Svorka is owned and operated by STATKRAFT ENERGI AS, which holds the main concession from NVE. Statkraft is Norway's largest hydropower company and a major European renewable energy producer.

When did Svorka begin operations?

Svorka was commissioned on 3 April 1963 and has been operational for over 60 years.

What is the current concession status?

Svorka's concession with NVE is active, confirming ongoing legal authorization to generate and sell electricity.

Which watershed does Svorka use?

Svorka draws water from the Bøvra watershed, a key hydrological system in Møre og Romsdal.

What is the data center suitability rating?

HydroSec rates Svorka as Grade A for data center cooling applications, with estimated capacity around 4 MW. This is a qualitative preliminary assessment; detailed technical specifications are available to registered users.

Where can I find detailed technical and financial data?

Registered HydroSec users can access comprehensive data including installed capacity, annual production, hydrological analysis, and site infrastructure details. Non-registered visitors see summary information only.

Sources

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