Norwegian salmon farmer Hardanger Fishfarm is scaling new heights -- or rather, new depths -- with plans to build a salmon hatchery inside a mountain in Torsnes, along the Hardanger Fjord.

The plan is to produce between 5,000 metric tons and 7,000 metric tons of post-smolt stage fish annually inside two tunnels, Henning Gronhaug, from Hardanger Fishfarm, told IntraFish.

The facility will grow smolts to up to 1 kilogram, reducing the time at sea and the exposure to biological risks such as sea lice.

The operation "fits in line with the government’s plans to support sustainable aquaculture,” according to a document submitted by architecture company Geoplan AS, which has been tapped to handle construction of the proposed site.

“This would contribute to new developments and technological solutions in the industry and the challenges that it faces such as sea lice and escapes."

The location of the mountain, along the fjord, gives the farming site stable access to fresh water and sea water, and hydropower to supply the needed electricity.

According to the project plan, the geological conditions are suitable for the construction of the hatchery, and will also enable the company to recirculate and discharge water waste that can be used for other purposes.

Planning permits will be financed with company equity, while construction costs will require external financing, Gronhaug said.

The company expects permits will take up to two years to obtain, after which construction will require another two years.

The operation will have space for fish vessels, as well as feed stock, technical equipment, treatment plants, control rooms and more.

The project, inspired by a hydropower plant built into the mountains, is estimated to cost between NOK 500 million (€51.6 million/$58.9 million) and NOK 600 million (€62 million/$70.7 million).

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