Fingrid will launch EIA process on a new transmission line route - transmission lines renewed between Hikiä (Hausjärvi) and Ruotsinkylä (Tuusula)

Fingrid Oyj, which is responsible for the main electricity transmission grid in Finland, will launch an environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedure for the new 400 kilovolt (kV) transmission line route in Southern Finland from the Hikiä substation to the vicinity of the Hyvinkää substation, which will be decommissioned. Depending on the route option, the length of the line is 15-17 kilometres.

There are also plans for the renewal of the 110 kV Hikiä-Ruotsinkylä double circuit line, which was originally constructed in the 1920s and which runs partly in the same right-of-way. The length of this line is 44 kilometres. Both line projects are planned to be carried out in the existing rights-of-ways.
The new 400 kV transmission line is needed because the Hyvinkää substation will be decommissioned in the next decade and replaced by the expansion of the 400 kV Hikiä substation. The route alternatives of the planned transmission line are located within Hausjärvi and Hyvinkää. Depending on the route option, the length of the new transmission line is 15 or 17 kilometres. 

The main alternative route of the transmission line will be situated in the place of the existing 220 kV transmission line that runs via Ylentola. Several sub-alternatives will be examined at the Ridasjärvi bog protection and Natura area.

The other main alternative examined is the route of the 110 kV double circuit line, which will be renewed. In this alternative, the line route will run more directly between the substations past the residential areas of Hyvinkää. With both routes, the line will be mainly located in existing rights-of-ways. The EIA process will be launched by the preparation of an assessment programme. The assessment programme contains a description of the present state of the project area and information on which impacts will be assessed and how the studies and assessments will be made. The completed assessment programme will be announced in local newspapers. The transmission line will be located in the areas of the Regional Environment Centres of Uusimaa and Häme, and one of these centres will serve as the contact authority. The Regional Environment Centre will be responsible for announcing the matter and requesting the necessary statements, and it will also give its own statement of the assessment programme. The EIA process is expected to be complete in 2008, and the construction of the line would take place after 2010.

2x110 kV line with “Iron Lady” towers modernised

The modernisation of the almost 80-year-old 110 kV double circuit line between Hikiä and Ruotsinkylä, equipped with so-called “Iron Lady” towers, will be planned within a separate project. The total length of the modernised line is 44 kilometres. The transmission line will be located within the existing right-of-way. In order to secure electricity transmission, a transmission line between the Nurmijärvi and Ruotsinkylä substations will be reconditioned and commissioned. An environmental investigation has been drawn up of the impacts of the renewal of the transmission line. Construction work is scheduled to take place towards the end of this decade.

The Internet pages of the projects are available on the Internet (in Finnish) at www.fingrid.fi (Ympäristö ja voimajohdot =>YVA-menettelyt). The pages also contain relevant maps.
Further information:
Lauri Erävuori, Environmental Specialist +358 (0)30 395 5178, +358 (0)40 546 6308
Hannu Ylönen, Line Route Specialist  +358 (0)30 395 5259, +358 (0)400 219 930