Helsinki cable project enters implementation phase
The 400-kilovolt underground cable connection planned in collaboration between the City of Helsinki, Helen Electricity Network and Fingrid has transitioned from the planning phase to implementation. Twice as much electricity will be transmitted in Helsinki when the new cable link is completed in 2026.
Photo: Fingrid Oyj
Finland’s transmission system operator Fingrid decided in December 2022 to invest more than EUR 100 million in building a cable link. This spring, the City of Helsinki, Helen Electricity Network and Fingrid signed a partnership agreement on a 400-kilovolt electricity transmission link in Helsinki.
The agreement covers the construction of a new 400-kilovolt cable link from the Länsisalmi substation in Vantaa to the new Vanhakaupunki substation to be built in the Viikinranta energy block in Helsinki.
A new cable link is needed to cater for increasing electricity consumption. It will also allow for the electricity network arrangements required to build the Western Boulevard City.
Construction of the connection to begin next year
“The expropriation permit application required for the cable link was submitted to the National Land Survey of Finland this spring. We will make further advances on the 400-kilovolt cable, construction of the cable route, and substation procurement processes this year,” says Risto Ryynänen, Project Director at Fingrid.
Helsinki City Council approved the detailed town plan for the Viikinranta energy block in April. The amended town plan allows for the construction of a street connection to the area. The new street connection will serve as the location of the underground cable connection and enable large transformers to be transported to the area.
The aim is for the town plan for the Viikinranta energy block to take legal effect and for the expropriation permit for the cable route to be granted this autumn. Construction will begin in spring 2024, and the cable link will be ready for commissioning in autumn 2026.
The cable link will promote the green transition and the Western Boulevard City
A new cable link is needed as electricity consumption in the Helsinki metropolitan area is increasing while local electricity production is decreasing as Helen moves to carbon-neutral energy production.
“One effect of the green transition is to increase the demand for electricity transmission. The capital also needs more electricity transmission capacity. Fingrid’s 400-kilovolt cable link will be a key facilitator of the green transition in our area,” says Markku Hyvärinen, Director of Business Development at Helen Electricity Network.
In addition, the City of Helsinki is planning infill construction as part of a project known as the Western Boulevard City to supplement the building stock in the districts of Haaga, Munkkiniemi and Pitäjänmäki around the Vihdintie road and Huopalahti district. Fingrid’s new cable link will free up land for construction.
The underground cable route is shown in red on the map. Photo: Fingrid Oyj
Further information:
Fingrid Oyj
Risto Ryynänen, Project Director
tel. +358 40 519 5093
risto.ryynanen@fingrid.fi
Helen Electricity Network Ltd
Markku Hyvärinen, Director of Business Development
tel. +358 50 559 1685
markku.hyvarinen@helen.fi
City of Helsinki, Urban Environment Division
Pekka Tirkkonen, Specialist
tel. +358 9 310 36637
pekka.tirkkonen@hel.fi
See also:
Press release, 21 December 2022:
Fingrid confirms its investment decision in the Helsinki metropolitan area – cable link to provide more electricity as consumption rises
Article in Fingrid Magazine, 21 November 2022:
Twice as much electricity will soon be transmitted in Helsinki
Press release, 11 April 2022:
Preliminary route selected for a 400-kilovolt cable to be built in Helsinki
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
Article in Fingrid Magazine, 1 April 2021:
The Western Boulevard City will change the face of Helsinki’s electricity network
Project website: