Fenno-Skan 2 submarine cable contract awarded to Nexans

Fingrid Oyj and Svenska Kraftnät have selected Nexans Norway AS to manufacture the new HVDC submarine cable between Finland and Sweden (Fenno-Skan 2). The contract price is approximately 150 million euros. The commissioning of the new interconnector will take place at the end of 2011.Fenno-Skan 2 will increase the electricity transmission capacity between Finland and Sweden by approx. 40 per cent, integrating the Nordic electricity market even more closely together. In practice, the project will reduce temporary differences in the price of electricity between the various countries within the electricity market. The cable will also reduce losses in the Nordic transmission grids and improve power system security.

The agreement will be signed later in spring. The manufacture of the subsea cable will commence in the autumn of 2009. The submarine cable will be manufactured at Nexans' factory based in Halden, Norway. Installation and laying work will start in the spring of 2011, lasting the summer time.

Nexans was selected as a result of a strict bidding process. Nexans Norway AS is a highly experienced company, with over 90 years of experience in the high-voltage cable business globally. With an industrial presence in more than 30 countries and commercial activities worldwide, Nexans employs 22,000 people.

Fenno-Skan 2 will be an 800 megawatt and 500 kilovolt electricity transmission connection between Finland and Sweden. The connection will be a direct current link. The total length of the link will be approx. 270 kilometres, of which the actual submarine cable will account for some 200 kilometres. The extension is carried out in close co-operation between Fingrid Oyj and Svenska Kraftnät.
Further information:
Kari Kuusela, Vice President, tel. +358 (0)30 395 5129 or
Timo Kiiveri, Project Manager, tel. +358 (0)30 395 5121