About NO3-Central Dam

The NO3 Central zone covers Trøndelag and parts of Møre og Romsdal in central Norway, centred on the city of Trondheim, the historical capital of Norway. The hydropower reservoirs in this zone are fed by the rivers draining the central mountain ranges including the Dovrefjell, Trollheimen, and Trollfjella massifs. The Orkla, Nea, and Surna river systems form the backbone of the NO3 hydropower network, with storage capacity of approximately 10.1 TWh. Central Norway's reservoirs are particularly important for local electricity supply since the region has historically had limited high-voltage transmission capacity southward. The Nedre Røssåga and Svartisen schemes in adjacent areas provide significant flexibility. The NO3 zone includes the Innerdalen reservoir valley, considered one of the most scenic glacier-carved landscapes in Norway. Snowpack in the high fells of Trøndelag typically persists until early June, and reservoir refill from snowmelt is a critical seasonal event for the zone's energy balance. The zone is also significant for offshore oil and gas industry supply, with energy-intensive petrochemical facilities on the Trøndelag coast requiring reliable baseload supply. TrønderEnergi and Statkraft are among the principal operators. The NO3 zone typically operates close to its storage capacity in autumn following a good summer melt season.