Traudalen at a Glance
Traudalen is a hydropower plant located in [Gloppen municipality][1], [Vestland county][2], Norway. [The facility became operational on 20 November 2018][3] and is registered with the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) under ID [1947][4]. The plant operates within the [NO3 electricity price zone][5], which covers western Norway and is part of the broader Nordic power market.
The facility is classified as a [Kraftverk (hydropower station)][6] and draws water from the [Traudalselva watershed system][7]. This hydrological context is essential for understanding seasonal production patterns and long-term yield potential, both critical factors for institutional investors evaluating asset stability.
Ownership and Operator
[TRAUDALEN KRAFTVERK AS][8] holds the primary concession for the plant. Understanding the operator's track record, financial position, and operational discipline is fundamental to assessing counterparty risk and asset management quality. The company's regulatory standing with NVE is [active][9], confirming current compliance with Norwegian hydropower licensing requirements.
Detailed ownership structure, financial performance, and operational history are available through the [full operator profile][10].
Hydrological Context and Water System
Traudalen draws its water supply from the [Traudalselva river system][11], which defines the plant's catchment area and precipitation patterns. The watershed characteristics directly influence:
- Seasonal production variability — precipitation and snowmelt cycles in the Traudalselva basin
- Long-term yield stability — historical inflow data and hydrological records
- Environmental compliance — minimum flow requirements and ecological constraints
Investors should review detailed hydrological data, including multi-year inflow statistics and drought-resilience metrics, which are available upon registration in the HydroSec platform.
Regional and Infrastructure Profile
Location and Grid Connection
Traudalen is situated in Gloppen, a municipality in Vestland county. The nearest Statnett transmission substation is approximately 4.6 km away, operating at 66 kV voltage. This proximity to grid infrastructure is a positive indicator for connection reliability and operational efficiency.
The nearest major industrial cluster is Høyanger (Hydro), approximately 60 km distant. While not immediately adjacent to large industrial consumers, the plant benefits from connection to Norway's integrated power system and access to the broader Nordic electricity market via the NO3 price zone.
Electricity Price Zone
[The plant operates in the NO3 price zone][5], which encompasses western Norway. This zone's pricing dynamics are shaped by regional hydropower capacity, seasonal demand patterns, and interconnection flows with other Nordic regions. Investors should monitor NO3 forward curves and seasonal spreads as part of portfolio analysis.
Data Centre Suitability Assessment
HydroSec assigns Traudalen a Data Centre Suitability Grade: A (on a scale of A–E). This rating reflects:
- Proximity to grid infrastructure — 4.6 km to transmission substation at 66 kV
- Operational status — active concession, no regulatory encumbrances
- Hydrological stability — established watershed with documented inflow patterns
- Regulatory compliance — current NVE licensing in good standing
A Grade-A rating indicates the facility meets baseline criteria for data centre power supply partnerships, subject to detailed technical and commercial due diligence. Specific capacity constraints, voltage stability characteristics, and load-following capabilities are disclosed upon registration.
What You'll Access After Registration
The HydroSec platform provides registered institutional investors with detailed technical and financial data currently withheld from this public profile:
- Installed capacity and maximum output (MW)
- Historical production and average annual yield (GWh/year)
- Gross head and efficiency metrics (m, %)
- Detailed hydrological analysis — multi-year inflow data, drought scenarios, seasonal patterns
- Sub-scores for data centre suitability — voltage stability, ramp-rate capability, distance to load centres
- Ownership structure and financial statements — operator creditworthiness and capex/opex trends
- Concession terms and renewal timeline — regulatory risk assessment
- Site infrastructure maps — transmission corridors, access routes, environmental constraints
This tiered access model ensures compliance with Norwegian data protection standards while enabling qualified investors to conduct thorough due diligence.
Risks and Limitations
Hydrological Risk: Hydropower output is inherently dependent on precipitation and snowmelt. Drought periods or sustained low-inflow years can materially reduce annual generation and revenue. Historical data should be reviewed to assess drought frequency and severity.
Regulatory Risk: The plant operates under a Norwegian concession that may be subject to renewal, modification, or environmental constraints. Changes in water management policy, environmental protection standards, or grid regulations could affect operational flexibility or profitability.
Market Risk: Electricity prices in the NO3 zone fluctuate based on regional supply, demand, and interconnection flows. Investors should not assume stable or predictable pricing; forward market analysis is essential.
Grid and Infrastructure Risk: While the plant is 4.6 km from a transmission substation, grid congestion, maintenance outages, or voltage instability could temporarily constrain output or curtail production.
Data Limitations: This public profile contains only summary information. Detailed technical specifications, financial projections, and hydrological models are restricted to registered users. Investment decisions should not be made on public data alone.
No Guarantee of Returns: This profile is factual and informational only. It does not constitute investment advice, a guarantee of returns, or a recommendation to invest. Prospective investors must conduct independent technical, legal, and financial due diligence with qualified advisors.
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Data sources: Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), Statnett AS. Last updated: [current date]. For the most current information, consult the [NVE Hydropower Database][12] and [Statnett Grid Map][13].