Supplying a Flagship Project – From Sykkylven to Svalbard

“For this installation we deliver a transformer and a substation that will be placed above ground level because of the permafrost, and to shield it from snow and drifting snow,” says Senior Sales Engineer Olav Dalsbotten.

Many Deliveries to Svalbard

Dalsbotten says that Møre Trafo has delivered a number of transformers to various projects on Svalbard, including several mines and the extensive avalanche protection work after the major slide that claimed lives in 2015.

Water and Pumps

“We also delivered a transformer to Gruve 7 near Longyearbyen last year when unusual amounts of water entered the coal mine due to a rare summer heat on Svalbard of over 21 degrees. The mine had to be pumped dry, and pumps ran all summer,” says Dalsbotten.

Above Ground Level

The substation for Miljøstasjonen will sit on a four-legged frame, built to Møre Trafo’s specifications. Apart from that, Dalsbotten describes it all as standard deliveries.

Flagship Project

“The Environmental Station is a flagship project for Longyearbyen lokalstyre (LL). Our political goal is for Longyearbyen to appear as a worthy gateway to one of the world’s best-managed wilderness areas. With the new environmental station, Longyearbyen will be able to meet future requirements for proper waste management, fully in line with the strict environmental enforcement on Svalbard,” says Arild Olsen, head of Longyearbyen lokalstyre.

Arctic regions

The NOK 155 million contract is signed with Consto, one of Norway’s leading construction groups, with over 1,000 employees in Norway and Sweden. Consto has long experience building all types of structures in Arctic regions. The new environmental station will be built at Hotellneset, close to the airport. The building will be 3,400 square meters and is scheduled for trial operation in October 2021.

Oversized

The environmental station will be adapted to future eco-friendly waste management solutions, and it will replace the current waste facility, which has too little capacity. The station is sized for an expected volume 50 years into the future and will enable a higher degree of sorting.

Reuse and Circular Economy

“The facility will also enable more reuse and support the circular economy. We also plan for more storage capacity so that transport costs to the mainland can be reduced,” says Morten Dyrstad, Technical Sector Manager at LL.

Tourists and 2,200 residents

Longyearbyen lokalstyre took over handling household waste for 2,200 residents in Longyearbyen on Svalbard, as well as much of the commercial waste and waste from tourism.