NIB finances wastewater treatment for Oslo

Bekkelaget wastewater treatment plant Photo: bvas.no

NIB has signed a 25-year loan agreement with the City of Oslo to increase the capacity of the Bekkelaget wastewater treatment plant and sewage network.

Oslo is one of the fastest-growing cities in Europe. The city will use the NOK 1.5 billion (EUR 161 million) loan to expand the Bekkelaget wastewater treatment plant to accommodate population growth and to connect new residential areas to the system.

The investment will increase the capacity at the Bekkelaget plant to a population equivalent of 490,000 people, up from the current capacity of 270,000.

Production of biogas from wastewater sludge will double, and the gas will be used for heating the plant and as fuel in road vehicles. The remaining residue will be used as agricultural fertiliser.

The expanded Bekkelaget wastewater treatment plant is scheduled to be ready in June 2020.

The City of Oslo will also increase the capacity of its sewer system to prevent leakages and to separate rainwater from wastewater sewer lines. This will reduce uncontrolled wastewater discharges into the Oslofjord and enable sustainable growth in the region.

Oslo is the capital of Norway and its largest city, with over 658,000 inhabitants. The city has a fairly well diversified local economy based on five main business areas: energy—comprising oil, gas and hydropower—the maritime and bio-marine industry, telecom and ICT, life sciences and creative industries.

NIB is an international financial institution owned by eight member countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden. The Bank finances private and public projects in and outside the member countries. NIB has the highest possible credit rating, AAA/Aaa, with the leading rating agencies Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.

For further information, please contact
Mr Patrik Marckert, Senior Manager Origination, at +358 10 618 0266,
Mr Arild Moen, Senior Communications Officer, at +358 10 618 0496,