WATERPOWER IN OTRA 

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Here is an overview of KEV's constructions along Otra.

The electricity had been known for about 2500 years before someone got the idea of using its power. 100 years ago the electricity came to Kristiansand. When it arrived it caused different reactions, someone felt enlightened, but most people met the new with indifference or scepticism

The regulation of the waterway leads to parts of the river drying up, while the waterlevel in other parts increasesReguleringen. These changes created some protests, but the died out after a while. The fact that the river is regulated causes a risk, that for example you don't have any assurance that the waterlevel is the same from day to day, you can not know when these changes take place. Therfore the powercompanies underline that all traffic along and in the river is at your own risk. Warningsigns have been placed along the river.

When the first powerbuilders in the 1890s started to exploit the waterfalls in the lower parts of the Otra, the people weren't overjoyed, they were satisfied with a status quo situation. Inspite of many protests Kringsjaa powerstation opened on 21 November 1900, after only 16 months of construction. Kristiansand's first powerstation came into being.

As time went on Kringsjaa started to supply power to the neighbouringunicipalities, it became more and more important. And in 1916 Kristiansand Elektisitetsverk had taken over the supply of electric power to Vennesla. 

In due time Kringsjaa couldn't produce enough electric power to meet the increasing demands, it therfore became necessary to build larger and more powerful stations.

1920: Nomeland Powerstation was put into use.

1949: The first turbine at Iveland powerstation turned on.

1955: Iveland powerstation is finished, and the building of the Steinsfossplant site is started.

1957: The first turbine at Steinsfoss 1 is finished and taken into use.

1964: The two first turbines at Brokke  is capacitated for supplying electric power

1970: Hovatn powerstation  er i gang.

1978: Anlegget ved Vatnedalsdammen kommer  i gang.

1981: Holen powerstation is put into use.

1985: Steinsfoss 2 is finished.                   

After this constructons it's only done small changes on the powerstations. Improvements is taken in acordance of what's demanded. 

 KEV has intentionally preserved the older parts of the workshops. There's also preserved old equipments etc. If you are so lucky to get a guided tour around in the stations you can get a lot of interesting information about exploiting of the water, together with a great travel in time. From old to new technology. The oldest stations are small musees of themselves.

Nomeland powerstation, a beautiful building with an exciting history, is still in full production.

         We congratulate KEV with its 100 jubilee. 

1900 -2000

All photos and information are used with permission from KEV