Fortum explores new pumped hydro storage oprtunities in Sweden

Fortum has initiated a two-year feasibility study to explore potential for new pumped hydro storage facilities in Sweden.

The feasibility study will focus on three areas: Lekstjärnen, next to Fortum’s hydropower plant in Trängslet in Dalarna County, and Bastvålen and Höljessjön in Värmland County.

Fortum already operates three pumped storage power plants in Sweden, including Kymmen, Letten and Eggsjön, with a cumulative power output of 89,5 MW. All three plants are located in Värmland, central-west Sweden.

It will now seek to examine commercial, technological, environmental and regulatory conditions for new pumped hydro storage plants at three further locations.

“Pumped hydro storage offers much-needed flexibility to the Nordic energy system and increases predictability for households and industries. Pumped hydro storage has the ability to both produce, store and consume electricity during long periods of time and in great amounts, reaching up to thousands of megawatts,” says Mikael Lemström, EVP Fortum hydro. 

The utility said that any decisions about potential future investments would be made in due course. In Finland, Fortum’s associated company Kemijoki Oy is exploring pumped hydro storage potential in the north of the country.