Greenland's first hydroelectric power scheme

Based on a policy of shifting from total dependency on oil imports for electricity production, the Home Rule Government of Greenland decided to investigate the possibility of utilising the country’s untouched hydropower resources. As a result of these analyses, it was decided to build Greenland’s first hydropower plant in Buksefjorden, some 60 km southeast of Nuuk. Due for commissioning in October 1993, the plant is designed and constructed by the Nuuk Kraft ANS consortium of which Norconsult International A.S. is a member. The environment in the project area is extremely vulnerable, the logistics difficult and the climatic conditions rough. This has been reflected in the chosen design and construction methods used in the implementation of the Buksefjord Hydropower project. Socioeconomic problems have also been highlighted in the development. This has led to the requirement that local services, subcontractors and manpower should be involved in the project whenever possible.