Kvinnherad

Overview

Kvinnherad hosts a substantial portfolio of active hydropower concessions anchored by the large Blåfalli Fjellhaugen (220 MW) and Blåfalli III (116 MW) projects, alongside Statnett's extensive 420 kV grid modernisation programme connecting Blåfalli, Mauranger, and Samnanger. The Husnes area is emerging as a demand centre, with Hydro Aluminium holding a 33 MW industrial reservation and two datacenter operators (ARCEM GO-DC2 and REIKNA) queued for a combined 90 MW at Husnes transformer station. Grid infrastructure investment is intense, with Statnett and Fagne both actively expanding and upgrading transmission and distribution assets throughout the municipality.

Recent Activity

In late July 2026, Rullestad & Skromme Energi AS was formally registered as the end customer for a 22 MW hydropower production reservation at Blåfalli station (NO2 price zone), maintaining reserved status. Construction power concessions for the Onarheim kraftverk and transformer station were also recently granted (July 2026), alongside a new 132 kV line concession from Storbjørnlistølen to Tysse granted to Fagne AS.

Key Substations

Municipality Stance

Kvinnherad appears supportive of energy development, with a large number of concessions granted across hydropower and grid infrastructure. No rejections or withdrawals are recorded, and both Statnett and regional players are actively investing in the area.

Outlook

Kvinnherad has strong long-term prospects driven by the ongoing 420 kV transmission backbone upgrades (Blåfalli–Mauranger–Samnanger and Sauda–Blåfalli), which will significantly increase capacity and reliability in the region. The Husnes industrial cluster, anchored by Hydro Aluminium, is attracting new large consumers including datacenters, suggesting growing demand-side interest. Hydropower development continues with both large-scale projects (Blåfalli Fjellhaugen) and smaller run-of-river additions. Developers should monitor Husnes TRA capacity closely as the datacenter queue fills up, but overall the grid investment trajectory is positive.