Hydro powerplants in Sweden
Hydropower – the backbone of Sweden’s flexible energy system
As Sweden moves toward greater electrification and relies more on wind and solar, hydropower plays a crucial role in ensuring system balance and stability. Uniper operates 74 hydropower plants across major rivers such as Faxälven, Kolbäcksån and Ätran, with a total installed capacity of about 1,700 MW — around twelve percent of Sweden’s total hydropower production.
Our largest hydro powerplants in Sweden
The following are two of the 74 hydro powerplants owned by Uniper in Sweden.
Hjälta powerplant in Faxälven
In a normal year, the Hjälta plant generates 1,005 GWh of renewable electricity — more than any of Uniper’s other hydropower plants.
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Storfinnforsen powerplant in Faxälven
The 800-meter dam at Storfinnforsen is the largest concrete dam in Sweden. The oldest plant still in operation is Hemsjö Övre in Mörrumsån, commissioned in 1907.
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Modernising Uniper's power plants in the Ume River
At times, Uniper’s three power plants along the Ume River have created bottlenecks due to their lower capacity for water flow compared to other plants in the region. To address this and enhance efficiency, Uniper is undertaking a comprehensive project to modernise these facilities.
Uniper's hydropower plants in the Ume River
This investment, estimated at approximately 1 billion SEK, includes the construction of a new turbine unit at the Bålforsen plant and the refurbishment of all six existing units. Upon completion, the total annual energy production from Uniper’s power plants in the Ume River will increase from 820 GWh to 920 GWh. This will enable a more stable and efficient power supply to the grid.
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Bålforsen power plant
Bålforsen is one of the key plants along the Ume River. When it was first built in the 1950’s, the site was prepared for a third turbine unit - now being realised as part of Uniper’s modernisation initiative. Once the project is complete, Bålforsen will have an increased capacity, from 88 MW to128 MW after modernization and become even more efficient.
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Hällforsen power plant
Hällforsen plays a pivotal role in regulating the river’s energy flow. Upgrading the turbine units will improve water flow capacity, ensuring optimal utilisation of available resources. These enhancements will reduce water spillage and optimise flow regulation throughout the river system. The capacity of the power plant will increase from 20 to 25 MW.
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Betsele power plant
While smaller in scale compared to other plants along the Ume River, Betsele remains a vital contributor to the river’s overall energy production. The ongoing modernisation efforts will enhance Betsele’s efficiency and reliability, while also improving its capacity to deliver essential ancillary services. The capacity of the power plant will increase from 25 to 30 MW.
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