Status of investigation into Fenno-Skan 1 cable

The Fenno-Skan 1 submarine cable encountered a fault in the late winter of 2013, and during repair, deviations from the norm were observed in the cable insulation. It is thought that the cable's voltage is weakened, and for now the cable is being operated at a reduced 80% voltage as a precaution. This limits the cable connection's transmission capacity to 400 MW down from 500 MW, which limits the overall transmission between Finland and Sweden and also increases regional differences in price.

Fingrid and Svenska Kraftnät are working in cooperation to carry out an assessment of the cable's technical condition. The cable's current performance will be investigated through high-voltage and load tests carried out on cable samples. The results of the tests will be announced no later than 1 September 2014. Based on the information we currently have, it is considered likely that the limitation on Fenno-Skan 1's transmission capacity will be permanent.

The winter-season overload area of the Fenno-Skan 1 submarine cable is still available for use and as the sea cools, the connection can be operated at a higher current than the nominal current. The Fenno-Skan 1 cable's 50 MW overload capacity will be taken into use for the winter period from 1 December 2013, whereupon the overall capacity of Fenno-Skan 1 and 2 available for market use will be 1250 MW.

Further information:
Timo Kaukonen, tel. +358 (0)30 395 4228
Harri Nurminen, tel. +358 (0)30 395 5149