Skotselv is a village in the municipality of Øvre Eiker, Norway. Its population (2005) is 684, of which 8 people live within the border of the neighbouring municipality of Modum. It has a railway station on the Randsfjord Line. [1]
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Skotselv as a small village has existed since the time of the Vikings. By that time the main river, ow called Drammenselva, rose 4-5 meters higher than today’s level making transport and trade by ship highly accessible. The village first started to grow significantly during the first half of the 16th century when the powerful Ulleland family established several sawmills along the river, using the river as a mean of transporting the goods to the region's capital, Drammen.[2]
In 1649, Hassel Ironworks (Hassel jernverk) started operation as the area's first iron mill, which was run by the Hassel family . They mainly produced ovens, but expanded into general ironware factory later on. It continued to be the biggest influence on the community until it was finally closed down in 1888.[3]
Established the same year as the iron mill shut down, the Skotselv Cellulose Mill (Skotselv Cellullosefabrikk) remained Skotselv's most important workplace. Several modernizations were made during the first part of the 20th century and the company was sold to Labor Union in 1913. The new ownership managed to turn the tide and the growth lasted all the time to 1978 when it was closed for good.[4]
Skotselv is today one of the few places in Øvre Eiker where the population is decreasing. This despite strong efforts to create a modern and attractive village for families. Skotselv Power Station (Skotselv Kraftverk) is a hydroelectric dam on the Bingselva. It has installed a Kaplan turbine. The power plant utilizes the fall in the river. Owner is Øvre Eiker Energy AS.