The museum is located in the old Vemork hydroelectric power station. Surrounded by magnificent scenery, this impressive building serves as a monument to the history of Norwegian industry.
The power station was completed in 1911, and was then thought to be the world’s biggest. It supplied power to the Rjukan saltpeter works and, after 1929, to the Vemork hydrogen factory.

During the Second World War, Vemork became an Allied target. It was essential to block German research into atomic fission by halting the production of heavy water at Vemork. The ‘Atomkappløpet’ (Race for the Atom) exhibit describes the dramatic events surrounding this all-important chapter of the war.