Maximum wind power output during transmission outages in the electricity grid to increase from what was previously announced

Fingrid, together with wind power plant suppliers, has identified solutions to increase the lower than normal production level imposed for the west coast during transmission outages in the electricity grid.

Fingrid announced in May that it would impose a lower than normal maximum production level for wind power output on the west coast during transmission outages in the summer and autumn to ensure grid stability. This level can now be raised through solutions found in cooperation with wind power plant suppliers.

In cooperation with customers and wind power plant suppliers, we have investigated the impact of the control properties of plants and sought solutions for improving the operation of voltage control at plants during planned outages and disturbances. Revised analyses indicate that, depending on the wind speed in the area, the electricity output during transmission outages may be up to 1,600 megawatts lower relative to the installed capacity. In May, we reported this figure to be 2,000 megawatts, so based on the new analyses, the peak output of electricity production may be approximately 400 megawatts higher than what was previously announced.

The maximum output depends significantly on the technology used in wind power plants. On the basis of the more detailed information obtained with regard to the control systems of power plants, we have been able to examine in more detail the operation of voltage control at wind power plants during planned outages and disturbances. Based on the studies, properties have been identified that improve the operation of voltage control during outages and disturbances and that further enable higher production output during outages than previously announced.

Fingrid will continue to actively work with customers and power plant suppliers to identify solutions for improving power park module operations and avoiding potential harm during planned outages and disturbances on the west coast.

Further information:

Tuomas Rauhala, Senior Vice President, Fingrid Oyj, tel. +358 30 395 5197
Antti-Juhani Nikkilä, Senior Expert, Fingrid Oyj, tel. +358 30 395 5142

Email addresses are in the form firstname.lastname@fingrid.fi

Previous press release on this topic: The maximum wind power output on the west coast will be occasionally reduced during transmission outages in the coming months >

More information on transmission outages in Fingrid magazine >