Alta Hydroelectric Power Station
Alta power station (Norwegian: Alta kraftverk) is a hydroelectric power station located on the Alta-Kautokeino River in Finnmark county, Norway. The power station is located in Alta Municipality, just north of the border with Kautokeino Municipality. It is operated by Statkraft, a Norwegian state-owned electric company, and it opened in 1987.
| Virdnejávr Dam | |
|---|---|
Location in Finnmark county | |
| Official name | Alta kraftverk |
| Country | Norway |
| Location | Alta Municipality, Finnmark |
| Coordinates | 69°42′17.77″N 23°49′08.03″E |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening date | 1987 |
| Owner(s) | Statkraft |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Arch |
| Impounds | Alta-Kautokeino River |
| Height | 145 m (476 ft) |
| Type | Conventional |
| Turbines | 2 |
| Installed capacity | 150 megawatts (200,000 hp) (max. planned) |
The station is located 40 kilometres (25 mi) from the mouth of the Alta River, and it receives most of its water from the great Finnmarksvidda plateau. Below the power station, the river has salmon, and is a good fishing river. The station consists of two generators, at 100 megawatts (130,000 hp) and 50 MW (67,000 hp), respectively. The station utilises a 185 metres (607 ft) fall from the dam at the end of the 18 km (11 mi) long reservoir Virdnejávri. From the 145 m (476 ft) tall Virdnejávr Dam to the end of the power station the river is dry for about 2 km (1.2 mi). It is the tallest dam in the country.