Harsprånget

As a result of industrial growth and increased demand for electricity, work on the construction of a power plant at Harsprånget began in 1919. However, the recession that followed in the wake of the First World War reduced the demand for electricity and construction was suspended in May 1922.

Construction of Harsprånget power plant

Some 20 years later, in 1945, construction resumed. By that time, however, Harsprånget had been completely redesigned and the construction site was two kilometres further downstream. The first unit was commissioned in 1951. When construction of the first three units was complete in 1952, the installed capacity was three times greater than originally planned.

To enable access to the construction site, a road and a railway line were built from the nearby village of Porjus. Due to the isolated location of the power plant, an entire community with all necessary services was built next to the site. It included houses for 1,200 employees and their families, shops, a hospital, a police station and leisure facilities.

Largest hydro power plant in Sweden in terms of capacity

Originally, Harsprånget comprised of three units. In 1974, work began on the construction of two additional units, which were commissioned in 1978 and 1980 respectively. Today, Harsprånget is the largest hydro power plant in Sweden in terms of capacity, as well as the site of the country's largest single hydro power unit, the 'Gigantic Gerhard'. Four out of the five units at Harsprånget are still used for electricity generation.

In 2004, the dam and spillways at Harsprånget were rebuilt to enable them to cope with the demands of what is known as a 10,000 year flood, i.e. an event which is likely to occur only once every 10,000 years, which gives rise to extremely high water levels.

About the river Lule älv

Hydro power is a reliable, safe and renewable source of energy. Around 40 % of Sweden's total electricity requirement is currently supplied by hydro power. The river Lule älv, on which Harsprånget is situated, is Sweden's most important river in terms of hydro power generation.