Finnish clean energy company Fortum has launched a two-year feasibility study to explore the potential of a new pumped storage power station in Sweden. The study will assess the commercial, technical, environmental and regulatory conditions for the new plant to ensure that it meets economic viability and environmental standards, while supporting the security of Sweden's energy supply.

Areas of focus for the study include the Lekstjarnen area in Dalarna County, which is close to the existing Trangslet hydropower station in Fortum, and the Bastvalen and Holjessjon areas in Varmland County. Fortum currently operates three pumped storage power plants in Sweden - Kymmen, Letten and Eggsjon in Varmland - with a combined installed capacity of 89.5 MW. The study will also analyze the potential expansion possibilities of existing power plants.

Fortum said the study is in line with its strategic objectives to provide reliable clean energy, to decarbonize Nordic industry and to contribute to the energy transition, thereby boosting the competitiveness of the Nordic region. As the share of renewables in the energy system increases, so does the volatility of the electricity market. Pumped storage is a flexible solution that plays a key role in balancing the energy system, meeting electricity demand and mitigating short-term changes in demand.

Mikael Lemstrom, Executive Vice President of Fortum's hydropower division, said: "Pumped storage provides much-needed flexibility to the Nordic energy system and increases the predictability of electricity consumption for households and industry. The technology is capable of producing, storing and consuming large amounts of electricity for long periods of time, with a capacity of thousands of megawatts. Fortum has many years of experience operating pumped storage power plants in Sweden and has accumulated deep technical expertise."

In addition, Fortum's affiliate Kemijoki Oy is exploring the potential of pumped storage power plants in northern Finland. With a total of 124 hydropower plants in Finland and Sweden, Fortum demonstrates its strong presence in the hydropower sector.

A recent study by AFRY, a consulting firm, shows that Sweden's existing hydropower assets have the potential to develop up to 4,000 megawatts of installed capacity, providing further context for Fortum's feasibility study. Editor/Xu Shengpeng