Strengthening the Lake Line will boost the electricity transmission capacity from north to south
Fingrid is building a new 289-kilometre transmission line from Vaala to Joroinen. The new line will largely run alongside the existing Lake Line connection. At the same time, Fingrid is preparing to build a new substation and modernise old ones. Reinforcing the Lake Line will increase the electricity transmission capacity from north to south and enable wind and solar power projects and industrial investments to connect to the main grid in Eastern Finland.
The Lake Line transmission line connection will be strengthened by a new 400-kilovolt and 110-kilovolt transmission line running through the municipalities of Vaala, Kajaani, Sonkajärvi, Vieremä, Iisalmi, Lapinlahti, Siilinjärvi, Kuopio, Suonenjoki, Leppävirta, Pieksämäki and Joroinen.
The new transmission line will mainly be built alongside existing transmission lines, although it will replace existing lines along the northernmost section of the route. Along the transmission line route, Fingrid is also preparing to build a new 400-kilovolt substation in Kajaani and expand six substations, some of which will also be modernised if their condition calls for it.
Construction of the transmission line will begin in 2023, and the project will be completed in 2026. The project is expected to cost approximately EUR 265 million.
Strengthening the Lake Line will boost the electricity transmission capacity from north to south
The amount of renewable electricity production in Northern Finland is increasing, while Southern Finland is phasing out its heat and power plants fired by fossil fuels to be replaced by emission-free solutions. The rise in electricity consumption, fall in electricity production in Southern Finland, and strengthening of the cross-border connections increase the need for north–south electricity transmission capacity in Finland.
Strong transmission connections are also an essential component of a functioning electricity market. Reinforcing the north–south transmission capacity will boost the electricity market’s efficiency and enable Finland to remain a single price area in the electricity market.
A strong network ensures the system security of the main grid, enables new investments in Eastern Finland, and contributes to the development of local electricity networks
The new transmission line connection will ease the transmission outages required to realise the green transition on existing transmission lines. Combined with the modernisation of substations, it will increase the system security of the power system in Eastern Finland.
Several renewable energy production projects are underway in Kainuu and Northern Savo. The new Lake Line and the associated substation investments will facilitate the connection of major wind and solar power projects to the main grid, enable new industrial investments in the area, and contribute to the development of regional electricity distribution networks in Eastern Finland.
Further information:
Timo Kiiveri, Senior Vice President, Fingrid Oyj, tel. 040 543 3039