Fortum is undertaking a major modernization of the Untra hydropower plant, a historic facility in Tierp, Sweden, that has been operational since 1911. This upgrade will see the replacement of three of the plant’s five turbine-generator units and is set to boost its capacity from 42 megawatts (MW) to 48 MW. Additionally, the plant’s annual production is expected to rise from 270 gigawatt-hours (GWh) to 300 GWh.
The project, which began following the Swedish Land and Environment Court’s permit amendment approval in 2021, is aimed at extending the plant’s operational life by another century. AFRY, a key partner in the renovation, will provide expertise in electrical and control systems. AFRY’s role includes delivering electrical and control contracts for the new turbine units G1, G2, and G3. This upgrade involves installing new relay protection and excitation equipment, as well as integrating all new and existing systems with updated control technology.
The modernization effort will replace the existing horizontal shaft units with new vertical units. In addition, a new machine room will be constructed, featuring a glass superstructure that will link the current intake house with the old machine room. The final unit of the upgraded plant is scheduled for commissioning by the end of 2030.
The Untra plant, originally built to supply electricity to Stockholm, was a cornerstone in the electrification of the Swedish capital. Although its capacity was surpassed within eight years due to the city’s growing electricity demands, Untra has remained a vital component of Sweden’s power infrastructure.
Fortum, which specializes in nuclear and hydropower production, continues to enhance its energy delivery capabilities across Europe with this significant upgrade to one of its oldest and most historically significant facilities.
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