Hafslund's history

Hafslund was established in 1898 by forward-looking Norwegians intent on adopting technological advances. Their objective was to harness hydropower generation for industry. Today Hafslund is the largest distribution network owner, the largest power sales provider, and a significant producer of renewable energy.

The newly established company purchased Hafslund manor and its Sarpsfossen waterfall rights that had been harnessed since the 1600s to power grain milling, sawmills, and industrial workshops. In 1899, Hafslund's power station started generation as Norway's first "major" hydropower facility.

Mergers and acquisitions

In recent years, the Hafslund Group has focused its activities on energy. In 2001 Hafslund acquired the power retailer Oslo Energi, and in 2002, became the sole owner of Tindra Energi. In 2003, Oslo Energi and Tindra were merged to form Hafslund Power Sales. Regarding power distribution in the greater Oslo area, a merger of Hafslund and Viken Energinett was initiated in 2001 and finalized in March 2002. In December 2007 the business area Technical Services, which included contracting services, electrical installation, electrical safety, road lighting, guard services, and security technology, demerged and established a separate company listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. The company’s name is Infratek ASA, in which Hafslund ASA owns 43.3 percent after the stock-exchange listing. Hafslund was previously a major supplier of residential alarm systems, but sold this part of the business to Securitas Direct in September 2008.

Hafslund today

The Group is organised into four business areas and two group function areas:

Business areas
• Production
• Heat
• Network
• Markets

Group function areas
• Finance
• Communications and Corporate Responsibility (CR)

The individual areas in brief:

The business area Production comprises all tasks connected to The Group’s hydropower production.

The business area Heat comprises all areas connected to The Group’s district heating activities in Oslo and Akershus.

The business area Network comprises The Group’s grid distribution and system control centre.

The business area Markets comprises electricity sales to private and business customers, the customer service centre and invoicing services.

Finance comprises financial control and reporting, financing, energy trading, quality assurance of contracts, investor relations, management of The Group’s pension funds as well as risk assessment. ICT, quality assurance of contracts, and real estate management & developement.

Communications and Corporate Responsibility (CR) includes Group communications and corporate social responsibility.