Norway's Statnett Plans New Transmission Line in Mid-Norway

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--In December 2009, Statnett SF (Oslo, Norway) announced plans to build a transmission line of almost 140 kilometres in mid-Norway, one of two Norwegian regions on the verge a power crisis. The new transmission line will improve the situation in the region by allowing several wind power projects to be constructed.

The 169 million euro ($226 million) project will allow an additional 2,000 megawatts (MW) to be added to the grid. The project consists of the erection of a 420-kilovolt transmission line, including 130 kilometres of overhead lines, 8 kilometres of undersea lines and three new transformer stations. The new line will have two starting points, one in Trollheim and one in Orkdal, both located in Sør-Trøndelag county. Both lines will terminate in Namsos municipality in Nord-Trøndelag county. At least 10 other municipalities will benefit from this new transmission line, including Åfjord, Rissa, Agdenes, Snillfjord, Orkdal, Hemne, Rindal and Surnadal.

The environmental impact assessment studies have been presented to the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, and a decision is expected by the first quarter of 2011. The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy will make the final binding decision regarding permitting by the first quarter of 2012. Commissioning of the transmission line is expected to take place between 2016 and 2017.

At present, western and mid-Norway are in a state of alert, meaning that their power supplies are rapidly reaching full usage. The flexibility in the power situation and the system's ability to handle inflow is reduced. Currently, 24 wind power projects in mid-Norway with a combined capacity of 3767 MW are waiting for the transmission line to be commissioned. Most of these wind power projects are pending permitting, but a few have already started construction.

Statnett SF was founded in 1992 in Oslo and is the sole owner, operator and regulator of all high-voltage electricity transmission and distribution in Norway. Among its responsibilities are to coordinate electricity generation and consumption and develop the Norwegian grid.

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