The first of its kind- Arendals Fossekompani builds hydropower plant with a customized paddle facility
The construction of the new Kilandsfoss hydropower plant in Åmli Municipality is progressing as planned and is expected to be completed by May 2026. In collaboration with Arendals Fossekomapni and the local Nidelva paddling club a unique, customized paddling facility will also be finalized.
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The facility is the first of its kind in Norway, offering infrastructure for slalom paddling, river surfing, and training, with ambitions to host national-level competitions. The power plant is jointly owned by Åmli Municipality, Froland Municipality, and Arendals Fossekompani through the company Kilandsfoss AS.
“This is a very exciting project, that combines green energy, outdoor recreation and contributes to public health. We've established a constructive partnership with Nidelva paddling club and are pleased to contribute to a facility that promotes increased activity and positive ripple effects throughout the region,” says Project manager at Arendals Fossekompani Camilla Ellefsen.
The project helps make paddling accessible to more people and facilitates slalom paddling, which is an Olympic sport and a popular water sport in several countries.
“It is very encouraging that Arendals Fossekompani supports paddling activities in the area, and the facility will contribute to increased activity. It also makes it possible to do slalom paddling, which is an Olympic sport. The development is adapted to the surrounding nature, creating a semi-natural facility with well-considered practical solutions for paddling activities,” says Ole Gunnar Selås, Development manager at Nidelva Paddle club.
Kilandsfoss has been a popular area for paddling and outdoor recreation for decades. It has been a process to find the best mutual solutions. When Arendals Fossekompani received a license to build the power plant in 2013, it was essential to protect the interests of the local community. The result is a 350-meter paddling course in a side channel of the river, where the paddling club will have the ability to control water flow via a remotely operated dam gate at the control center. Similar solutions are common in various countries, but this is the first time such a facility has been built in Norway.
“It is encouraging to see that the process surrounding the construction has evolved into a constructive collaboration with the paddling club, which is now actively involved in the development of the customized facility. This has become a win-win situation that accommodates various societal interests,” says Inger-Lene Håland, Mayor of Froland.
“This is a very exciting project. From the moment we were granted the license, it has been a clear condition that we must adapt to the natural surroundings and the local community – something this collaboration clearly demonstrates,” says Hans Fredrik Tangen, Mayor of Åmli.
The Norwegian Paddling Association has around 27,000 members and wants to facilitate and increase interest in paddling throughout the country. The paddling community wants low threshold offers and various meeting points for both experienced paddlers and beginners.
"It is very positive that the local paddling club and their interests are taken into account when building a hydroelectric power plant in Åmli. This provides facilities for the club paddlers, while the facility also provides space for slalom paddling and kayak cross, which are Olympic disciplines," says Thomas Pinard, Deputy Secretary General of the Norwegian paddling federation.
About the project:
Once completed, the Killandsfoss plant will produce approximately 38 GWh of renewable energy annually, equivalent to the electricity consumption of about 2,000 households. The power plant is jointly owned by Åmli Municipality, Froland Municipality, and Arendals Fossekompani through the company Kilandsfoss AS.
AFK Vannkraft is involved in the project's technical team and provides the construction manager. AFK Vannkraft produces renewable energy from two hydropower plants in the Arendal watercourse to households and industry. The development of Kilandsfoss hydropower plant also includes the necessary infrastructure for the paddling facility, financed by Kilandsfoss AS. The paddling club will additionally receive a base grant to optimize the paddling course and further develop the surrounding area.
The Nidelva paddle club has approximately 75 members and the Norwegian paddle federation has 27,000 members nationally. Measures that facilitate different paddling strengths in the river make the sport accessible to more people and ensure good opportunities for slalom paddling. Slalom paddling is an Olympic sport that requires paddling through gates that are suspended in a course with current, with either upstream gates or downstream gates. During the Olympics, slalom paddling has been the third most popular television broadcast, and the most popular water sport in the Olympics.