Monitors leakage and deformation

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I november 2025 sto nye Kjela Dammer klar for produksjon.

In November 2025, the new Kjela Dammer was ready for production.

Statkraft's Kjela-Dammer reservoir at Haukeli is a pilot for new technology. Cautus Geo has installed more than two kilometres of fibre cables during the construction work. It's about both deformation and water leakage.

Problem statement

The power dams in Kjelavatn on Haukelifjell have been renewed. The old concrete slab dams did not meet the new requirements for dam safety. The new Kjela dams are rockfill dams. The facility will be commissioned in 2026. A pilot project may result in new requirements for safety and control routines.

Solution

Cautus Geo has delivered more than two kilometres of fibre optic cables that are integrated and installed in the power dams. The fibre cables have different properties. They will monitor deformation in real time. In addition, fibre cables are installed in a fine-mesh network that can be heated. They can detect possible water leaks and pinpoint the exact location of the leaks in the dam system.

Dam facilities are safe and secure. Deformations are monitored according to established regulations. Leaks are also monitored. If leaks occur, the dam owner will see them in near real time, but finding the exact location of the leak can be a challenge.

The fibre technology that Cautus Geo has now delivered will be used in the pilot project in addition to all established installations and routines.

3D-SAA fibre cables can continuously and in real time warn of possible deformations. In addition, a fine-mesh network of fibre cables can be heated. The speed of the temperature drop will indicate where water has penetrated. Moisture results in a faster temperature drop. This means that measures can be taken in the right place quickly. Extensive searches can be replaced by exact answers from technology.

Ready from 2026

Kjela Dams on Haukelifjell in Vinje municipality were completed one year ahead of schedule. Work started in September 2022. It was completed in the autumn of 2025. In December, Statkraft took over the facility from the contractor. By then, Cautus Geo's new technology for automatic and continuous monitoring of deformation and leakage was already in place.

400 million

The New Kjela Dams is a major construction project. The total cost is over 400 million 2022-kroner. The main dam is 250 metres long and 34 metres high. In addition, the barrier dam is 340 metres long and 24 metres high.

Dam systems are monitored and controlled according to set rules. They also involve manual checks using traditional surveying technology.

The pilot project can show whether technology can be used to change control systems and established routines.