Fingrid confirms its investment decision in the Helsinki metropolitan area – cable connection to provide more electricity as consumption rises

Fingrid has been working in close cooperation with the City of Helsinki and Helen Electricity Network to build Finland’s first 400-kilovolt cable connection in the main grid. The new connection will be built in Helsinki to cater for the increase in electricity consumption in the Helsinki metropolitan area and promote the green transition. Fingrid has decided to invest more than EUR 100 million in the construction of the cable connection. The implementation will begin next year, and the connection is planned for completion in 2026.

Electricity consumption in Helsinki is on the rise. At the same time, electricity production is decreasing as Helen accelerates the transition to carbon-neutral energy production more than five years earlier than planned, closing the Hanasaari and Salmisaari power plants. Fossil-fuelled heat production will be replaced by heat pumps and electric boilers.

To ensure sufficient electricity transmission capacity, the City of Helsinki, Helen Electricity Network and Fingrid signed an agreement on the commencement of general planning of changes to the electricity network at the end of 2020.

Fingrid will build a new 400-kilovolt cable connection from Länsisalmi in Vantaa to the Viikinranta energy block in Helsinki, where a new main grid substation will also be built. The new connection will enable Helen to switch to carbon-neutral energy production by 2030. In addition, the cable connection will free up land for the construction of the Western Boulevard City, as the 110-kilovolt high-voltage overhead lines currently in the area can be moved underground once the 400-kilovolt reinforcement is in place.

Implementation to begin next year; connection scheduled for completion in 2026

The general planning of the route included an assessment of the technical feasibility of construction and the impact of construction on land use, traffic safety, settlements, landscapes, cultural heritage, nature and the recreational use of the area. To enable construction planning, a preliminary route was selected for the cable link in spring 2022 based on surveys and negotiations with the authorities.

Studies of the terrain and environment along the route were carried out in the spring and summer of 2022, helping to plan the exact route of the cable and the forthcoming construction. When the cable link is completed, it will run from the energy block in Viikinranta via the fields of Viikki, Hallainvuori, Ring I and Kivikko sports park to Länsisalmi.

The project will cost more than EUR 100 million, and it will transition from general planning to construction next year. The cable connection is tentatively due for completion by the end of 2026.

Further information:
Timo Kiiveri, Senior Vice President, Fingrid Oyj

Risto Ryynänen, Project Director, Fingrid Oyj

Press release, 14 September 2021: Electricity network to be altered to suit Helsinki’s needs – preparations underway in Western Helsinki to place overhead lines underground

Fingrid magazine, 21 November 2022: Twice as much electricity will soon be transmitted in Helsinki

Project website: