Laxede
Facts
Country
Sweden
Electricity Capacity
207 MWe
Stream
Lule älv
Head
25 m
Water discharge
570 m³/s
Turbine type
Kaplan
Vattenfall ownership share
100 %
Status
In Operation
Water information
Above pond
Below pond
Total
Through turbine
Through pond hatch
Last update
Laxede Power Station is a conventional hydro power plant, constructed above ground. It is situated in the Stora Lule Älv River, 28 kilometres downstream of the influx of the smaller Lilla Lule Älv River into the main river.
Conventional station
The construction work began in 1958. The initial capacity amounted to 116 MW, supplied by two units. Twenty years after its inauguration, Laxede Power Station was expanded with the addition of a third unit.
Since the Lule Älv River was used to float timber, a floating canal measuring 122 metres in length was constructed, able to handle 10,000–24,000 logs per hour.
Characteristics of the Lule Älv River
Hydro power is a reliable, safe and renewable source of energy. Today, hydro power accounts for nearly half of Sweden’s total electricity demand. The Lule Älv River, by which Laxede is located, is Vattenfall’s and Sweden’s most important river for hydro power generation.