Swedish Vattenfall looks to enlarge its hydro plants in Sweden, reports domestic broadcaster Sveriges Radio.

To that end, the state-owned utility has launched four feasibility studies in Ume River and Lule River. Vattenfall already has hydro plants at both locations.

”It is quite unique. We haven’t launched major constructions in Sweden since the 1990s, marking the first time in 30 years of announcing organizational expansions. If all four projects are realized, we are talking investments of several billions,” says Vattenfall Vattenkraft CEO Johan Dasht.

If all projects materialize, Vattenfall expects the combined output to reach 720MW, writes Sveriges Radio.

The project backdrop is increased electricity demand in Sweden, which is expected to rise even further in the coming years.

”Obviously, we are currently witnessing substantial demand, and it shows no signs of dwindling over the next ten to twenty years,” says Dasht.

Vattenfall hopes to have one project operational in 2026, while the others won’t run before 2031.