Voices of Hydro introduces the people behind the power. In this series, industry leaders share how they’re driving the sector forward by tackling challenges, championing innovations and sharing moments that made them proud. These are the people who keep our lights on and our energy future, secure.

Please introduce yourself and tell us about your role.

My name is Ivar Arne Børset and I work for Statkraft, Europe's largest producer of renewable energy. I currently serve as Senior Vice President in the Nordic business, where I work closely with our hydropower assets and operations in the south of the country and the development of the power system.

I have spent most of my career in the energy sector, and I remain fascinated by the important role hydropower plays in society. I am also honoured to serve on the IHA Board alongside colleagues from across the global hydropower community.

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What challenge in the hydropower sector is your organisation working to address?

One of the main challenges facing the sector is how to deliver a reliable and affordable energy system while rapidly increasing renewable generation. Hydropower is uniquely placed to support this transition. At Statkraft, we are focused on ensuring that our hydropower assets continue to provide flexibility, balancing services and energy security while enabling the growth of wind and solar power.

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What key technology or innovation is your organisation focused on?

A large part of our effort is focused on modernising and upgrading existing hydropower assets. Through digitalisation, improved monitoring systems and targeted turbine and plant upgrades, we can increase production and flexibility from infrastructure that already exists. This is often one of the most efficient and sustainable ways to strengthen the energy system.

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Is there a recent milestone or achievement from your organisation that you would like to highlight?

Although we invest heavily in many forms of renewables, I am particularly proud of Statkraft's long-term commitment to hydropower. We have announced plans to invest around NOK 80 billion by 2035, with significant investments dedicated to upgrading and modernising our hydropower fleet. These projects will help increase renewable generation while strengthening the flexibility that future power systems will increasingly depend upon.

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What are you most proud of at the moment?

The people I work with.

Whether they are operating power plants, planning upgrades, managing environmental challenges or developing new solutions, they are helping to deliver clean energy every day. Across the industry, there is a growing recognition that hydropower is not only renewable energy, but also a key enabler of the wider energy transition.

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Is there anything else you would like to share?

I grew up in Norway, where hydropower has shaped communities and industries for generations. What inspires me today is seeing how a technology that has served us for more than 100 years is becoming even more important in the transition to a renewable future.

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