GE Vernova's hydropower business has secured a contract from Hafslund Eco to service the 840MW Aurland 1 hydropower plant in Norway.

GE Vernova’s hydro business will be responsible for delivering new rotor poles for three 280MW/30-megavolt ampere water-cooled generators located at the plant.

GE Vernova plans to complete the project between the summer of 2025 and 2027. It will assemble the rotor poles at its Norwegian services workshop in Lier. The poles will enhance the efficiency and lifespan of the generators for decades.

GE Vernova hydropower president and CEO Pascal Radue stated: “Norway has been an inspiring example of how hydropower can contribute to the energy transition by delivering a large amount of renewable energy in the very long term.

“Today, the average age of the fleet is about 50 years, opening up for refurbishment needs that will help extend the lifetime but also increase even more the efficiency of hydropower plants, without any need to rebuild a dam. We are thrilled to partner with Hafslund Eco on this service project.”

Built between 1969 and 1989, Aurland 1 is the country’s third-largest power plant and Hafslund Eco’s largest power plant.

Hafslund Eco projects director Tormod Kleppa stated: “We are happy to be working with GE on this project. The servicing of our Aurland 1 is an important project for us and we are glad to count on GE to deliver the new rotor poles while the refurbishment programme is ongoing.”