Vanndøla power plant

Vanndalen is one of the side valleys that was affected by the development of Jostedal power plant. Here, a construction road was built up to a crossroads at the tunnel at about 1000 m above sea level, and a stream intake leads from the upper catchment area of the Vanndalen valley. This major project leaves a residual flow on the landowners’ property.
Through an agreement with Småkraft AS (later transferred to Luster Småkraft AS) in 2004, the landowners made their waterfall rights available for the development of a small-scale power project. Luster Småkraft AS assumed the risk, the work with the licensing process and the development itself. In May 2008, the power plant was put into operation, ready to deliver its contribution in the form of new renewable energy and local business revenues.
The power plant project in Vanndøla created a great deal of local activity during the construction period and provided business income for the landowners and the local community. Operation and maintenance will also be carried out by the landowners and local companies.

The Vanndøla power plant, like other completed power plants under the auspices of Småkraft, has received positive feedback for its architecture and good adaptation to the terrain.

Construction work presented several challenges, including the steep penstock route. The intake is located in a natural pool and blends nicely into the terrain. The upper part of the penstock route leads through fairly flat terrain, but the middle section has an inclination of 27 degrees. The contractor experienced problems with access along the penstock. At elevation 325, the penstock crosses the river through a pipe bridge. Skilled local contractors solved the problem despite a combination of heavy snowfall and a difficult terrain.