Hammerfest Strøm got international attention in 2003 when the 300kW prototype of a future tidal powerstation was installed in Kvalsund outside Hammerfest in Northern-Norway. The turbine was the first in the world to convert the kinetic energy in tidal water into electricity, and delivered this to the national grid. The turbine delivered sufficient energy for 25-30 North-Norwegian households. The prototype was designed for a 3 year test period, but was operated for approximately 4 years without maintenance.

- We are pleased with the results so far. The verification shows that the concept works and the need for maintenance is within the expected frames, says Harald Johansen, Managing Director Hammerfest Strøm AS.

The turbine will now go through a new test period where new components are being verified. The main goal for the prototype is to deliver knowledge for further development and research of the company’s technology.

The idea of converting the kinetic energy from tidal water to electricity came from the utility company Hammerfest Energy in 1996 and the technology company Hammerfest Strøm was established in 1997. Hammerfest Strøm will deliver turn-key tidal power stations to the global energy market, based on tested technology.

ScottishPower Renewables became one of the shareholders within the company in 2008. Hammerfest Strøm is planning to install and test a 1MW full scale demonstration model, HS1000, in Scottish water from 2011.

The subsidiary company, Hammerfest Strøm UK Ltd. in Glasgow, Scotland, was established in 2008. This company will license the technology from the parent company and deliver turn-key tidal power stations to the British and Irish energy market. UK has an intention of becoming world leaders within new renewable marine energy and has established favourable general terms to reach this goal.

- Tidal power is predictable and therefore differs from other renewable energy sources. The goal is to have the concept and technology ready and mature for the commercial market in 2012, Johansen says.

Today Hammerfest Strøm is owned by Hammerfest Energi, StatoilHydro, ScottishPower Renewables, Hammerfest Næringsinvest, Origo Kapital and Alta Kraftlag.

For further information please contact:
Mr Harald Johansen, Managing Director, Hammerfest Strøm, phone: + 47 979 67 948