A French-Norwegian alliance for hydropower: the Spinnerifossen project
The Spinnerifossen hydroelectric power plant will be operational in the summer of 2026 thanks to a partnership combining complementary skills: Atle Øderud’s local roots and engineering expertise, Forces Motrices du Gelon’s operational and development expertise, and the industrial experience of Bernard Bonnefond Énergies Renouvelables (BBER), a French alternators and transformers manufacturer, notably the VARIVOLT variable transformer.
The facility will be using the waters of the Lekumselva River. With a head of 17 meters, the plant will have an installed capacity of approximately 800 kW and an annual production of 2.85 GWh.
The building’s structure is designed to blend seamlessly into its surroundings. Drawing on its extensive development experience in the field, FMG was able to guide the architect’s vision, ensuring the power plant’s design was both aesthetically appealing and technically efficient.
The overall construction of the facilities will take a total of 10 months, from September 2025 to June 2026, and will require a budget of €2.8 million. Half of this funding comes from a bank loan from Sparebank1, a Norwegian bank, and the other half from contributions from each of the partners.
This project marks the beginning of a long-term partnership between Atle Øderud, FMG, and BBER, a partnership that is expected to continue through other projects in Norway.
Atle Øderud’s strong local ties were essential to the project’s positive reception within the Mysen community: “Building a power plant in Mysen: we couldn’t have achieved this without good neighbors.” “Atle said in this article from the local news page of the Smaalenenes Avis newspaper, dated September 17, 2024.
IN PROGRESS: Atle Øderud (on the right in the photo) is happy to be involved in the construction of Spinnerifossen and has also been able to buy land from his neighbor Øyvind Johansen, who is pleased with the electricity production at Spinnerifossen.
