ABB has been selected to supply control and electrical systems for a pumped storage hydropower plant being built by Norsk Hydro in Illvatn, western Norway.

The contract covers control, monitoring and electrical equipment for the project. The order was booked in the fourth quarter of 2025. Financial details were not disclosed.

The Illvatn pumped storage development is Norsk Hydro’s largest hydropower investment in more than 20 years, with a total framework of about $265m. The company estimates the net cost after tax at around $127m. The plant is expected to increase renewable power production by 107 GWh annually on a net basis, with a gross increase of 210 GWh. The project is intended to secure long-term renewable electricity supply for Norsk Hydro’s aluminium production and improve flexibility in its energy system.

The facility will operate within the Fortun hydropower system in the Sogn region, one of Norway’s largest regulated systems. Water will be pumped from the Fivlemyrane reservoir at 1018m above sea level to Illvatn at 1382m, increasing storage capacity by 90 million m3.

As part of the project, Norsk Hydro plans to build a 13km transmission line between Fivlemyr power station and Sveinsøystølen. The 48 pylons will be constructed from aluminium instead of steel or composite materials.

ABB’s scope of supply includes a distributed control system, cybersecurity solutions, medium-voltage switchgear, transformers, low-voltage AC and DC systems, vibration monitoring instrumentation, and cabling and installation work.

“This project shows how our hydropower expertise helps Hydro Energi optimise the design of a modern pumped storage power plant,” said Nils Endre Hatlevik, Head of Power Reliability in Norway at ABB’s Energy Industries division.

“ABB was chosen because they have the technical expertise and reliable solutions required for such a complex project as the Illvatn pumped storage power plant. For Hydro, this is a strategically important investment that will increase the flexibility of our hydropower portfolio and secure new stable, renewable power for our aluminium production for many decades to come,” said Erik Frantzen, VP Technical Support, Projects & Development in Norsk Hydro. “We look forward to working closely with ABB to realize this important contribution to the energy transition.

Construction began in November 2025, with operations expected to start in the second quarter of 2030.

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