Fortum To Modernize Historical Untra Hydropower Plant In Sweden

Fortum will invest over SEK 700 million (over EUR 60 million) during 2023-2030 to modernise Untra, one of Sweden’s oldest hydropower plants. The investment is part of Fortum’s strategic priorities to deliver reliable clean energy and drive decarbonisation in industries in the Nordics. 

“The construction of the Untra power plant had a significant impact on the first wave of electrification and today electricity is once more driving our transformation to Net Zero. Hydropower, known for its adaptability and extensive energy storage capabilities, continues to play an important role in our power infrastructure. As a result, investments of this nature are essential to ensure that hydropower maintains its position as a fundamental pillar of the Nordic’s carbon-neutral electricity production”, says Mikael Lemström, EVP Hydro Generation at Fortum. 

The power plant has an output of 42 MW. The renovation will involve the replacement of three turbine units and a significant restructuring of the powerplant, all aimed to ensuring Untra’s ability to contribute to  provide flexibility to the power system and to supply fossil-free electricity to Sweden. Thanks to the advanced turbine technology being used the annual electricity production will increase from 270 GWh up to approximately 300 GWh. 

Untra, initially constructed in late 1911, with the goal to provide the whole Stockholm with electricity, played an important role in electrifying the Swedish Capital  during the last century. Despite the capital’s growing demand for electricity, which exceeded Untra’s capacity in less than eight years, the powerplant has remained an important part of the Swedish power system since then. 

Of the total investment, about half is classified as growth capital expenditure. The investment is already included in Fortum’s committed growth capital expenditure of EUR 800 million for the years 2023-2025.