Buksefjord hydroelectric power plant
Encyclopedia
The Buksefjord hydroelectric power plant is the first and largest hydroelectric power plant in Greenland. It was built by Nuuk-Kraft and it is operated by Nukissiorfiit - Greenland's national energy company.
In 1984–85, Greenland's energy authority prepared a Greenland's hydroelectricity development program. Construction of a plant in Buksefjord was proposed by a private consortium in 1988. In 1989, four companies were invited to a public tender. However, later it was decided, that construction of the plant will be financed by the Home Rule of Greenland and the plant will be rented to Nuuk-Kraft consortium. Construction of the plant was approved by the Parliament of Greenland
in 1990. It was commissioned in 1993.
Unconventionally, the power station is situated 600 metres (1,968.5 ft) inside a mountain and it consists of 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) of tunnels. The upper reservoir, Kang Lake, is situated 249 metres (816.9 ft) over the sea level at Buksefjord. Due to damming and deep inlet, it has a total effective volume of 1.9 cubic kilometre (0.455834241348145 cu mi), which is six times more than the annual water consumption by the plant. From the lake, a 10.5 kilometres (6.5 mi) long inlet pressure tunnel runs down to the plant.
Originally, the plant had two turbines with capacity of 15 MW each. In 2008, a third turbine with the same capacity was installed.
The generated power is transferred to Nuuk
over 57 kilometres (35.4 mi) long Buksefjord–Nuuk power line, which includes the Ameralik Span
, the world's longest span.
In 1984–85, Greenland's energy authority prepared a Greenland's hydroelectricity development program. Construction of a plant in Buksefjord was proposed by a private consortium in 1988. In 1989, four companies were invited to a public tender. However, later it was decided, that construction of the plant will be financed by the Home Rule of Greenland and the plant will be rented to Nuuk-Kraft consortium. Construction of the plant was approved by the Parliament of Greenland
Parliament of Greenland
The Parliament of Greenland is the legislature in the government of Greenland, an autonomous province of Denmark. The government of Greenland is also called Home Rule of Greenland. 16 seats are needed for a majority....
in 1990. It was commissioned in 1993.
Unconventionally, the power station is situated 600 metres (1,968.5 ft) inside a mountain and it consists of 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) of tunnels. The upper reservoir, Kang Lake, is situated 249 metres (816.9 ft) over the sea level at Buksefjord. Due to damming and deep inlet, it has a total effective volume of 1.9 cubic kilometre (0.455834241348145 cu mi), which is six times more than the annual water consumption by the plant. From the lake, a 10.5 kilometres (6.5 mi) long inlet pressure tunnel runs down to the plant.
Originally, the plant had two turbines with capacity of 15 MW each. In 2008, a third turbine with the same capacity was installed.
The generated power is transferred to Nuuk
Nuuk
Nuuk, is the capital of Greenland, the northernmost capital in North America and the largest city in Greenland. Located in the Nuup Kangerlua fjord, the city lies on the eastern shore of the Labrador Sea and on the west coast of Sermersooq. Nuuk is the largest cultural and economic center in...
over 57 kilometres (35.4 mi) long Buksefjord–Nuuk power line, which includes the Ameralik Span
Ameralik Span
The Ameralik Span is the longest span of an electrical overhead powerline in the world. It is situated near Nuuk on Greenland and crosses Ameralik fjord with a span width of 5,376 metres at...
, the world's longest span.