Messaure

FactsCountry
Sweden 
        
Electricity Capacity
463 MWe
        
Stream
Lule älv 
        
Head
87 m
        
Water discharge
480 m³/s
        
Turbine type
Francis 
        
Vattenfall ownership share
100 %
        
Status
In Operation 
        

Water information Above pond
Below pond
Total
Through turbine
Through pond hatch
Last update

When the dam for Messaure power plant was built, between 1957 and 1963, it was one of the largest in Europe. At almost two kilometres long and over 100 metres high, the dam is one of Vattenfall's largest. To put the amount of filling material used in the dam into perspective, it can be equated to the amount of material required to fill four Pyramids of Cheops.

Construction of dam and power plant

The filling materials were transported by the largest fleet of trucks and lorries ever used in the construction of a power plant. In 1960, there were 150 trucks and 270 drivers, who worked in shifts in difficult financial circumstances. 60 mechanics were employed to maintain and service the machinery alone.

Messaure power plant was designed in a way that enabled the addition of a third unit. This third unit was built and installed between 1980 and 1983. Messaure is one of Vattenfall’s largest hydro power plants.

About the Luleälv river

Hydro power is a reliable, safe and renewable source of energy. Almost half of Sweden's total electricity requirement is currently supplied by hydro power. The Luleälv river, on which Messaure is situated, is Vattenfall's and Sweden's most important river in terms of hydro power generation.

More information (links open in new window)

Hydro power