Harsprånget hydroelectric power station

Harsprånget
Location of Harsprånget in Sweden
Country	Sweden
Location	South of Porjus
Coordinates
Status	Operational
Construction began	1918 Cancelled 1921 Restarted 1945
Opening date	1951
Owner(s)	Vattenfall
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Rock-fill dam
Impounds	Lule River
Height	50 m (164 ft)
Length	1,400 m (4,600 ft)
Dam volume	6,000,000 m3 (210,000,000 cu ft)
Reservoir
Creates	Harsprånget Reservoir
Power station
Type	Conventional
Hydraulic head	107 M
Turbines	3*110 MW, 1*180 MW, 1*465 MW, All of Francis-type
Installed capacity	977 MW
Annual generation	2,1 TWh (2009)

Harsprånget is a hydroelectric power station located on the Lule River in northern Sweden, just downstream of Porjus.

With a power of 977 MW, it's the largest hydroelectric power station in Sweden, and also the third largest in the Nordic countries. The name means "Hare run" in Swedish. This was also the name of the mighty rapids there, and the name was related to the sharp turns in the rapids, a little similar to the ones a hare does when fleeing. Normal year production is around 2131 GWh. Total fall height is around 107 m.

History

Construction of the station started in 1918. However, recession after World War I cancelled the construction, which was not started again before 1945. It was opened in 1951, then with a power of 330 MW. In 1980, two new turbines were installed which increased the max power to 945 MW. The rated power was later increased further.

Turbines

The turbines are of Francis type with vertical axis and steel spirals.

Units	1	2	3	4	5
Capacity	110 MW	110 MW	110 MW	180 MW	475 MW
Maximum water flow	127 m³/s	127 m³/s	127 m³/s	175 m³/s	485 m³/s
Revolutions/min	166,7 r/min	166,7 r/min	166,7 r/min	166,7 r/min	107,1 r/min
Cog diameter	3,6 m	3,6 m	3,6 m	4,2 m	6,6 m
Supplier	NOHAB	NOHAB	NOHAB	KMW	NOHAB

Grand total of 977 MW.