Fingrid Oyj, a Finnish transmission system operator, is modernizing approximately 112 km of 110-kV power lines and two substations in North Karelia. One new substation will also be built. Overall, the network reinforcements in North Karelia will cost Fingrid approximately 30 million euros (US$35.8 million).
The improvements to the North Karelian electricity network are being planned and implemented in close cooperation with the region's electricity distribution system operator. The project will result in a more reliable electricity transmission network for the region.
Tens of thousands of people live in the areas around the electricity networks where work is underway and efforts are being made to minimize visible disruption. Fingrid is working on contracts with the local distribution system operators and Fingrid customers connected to the main grid.
Three construction projects were planned to modernize the transmission lines in North Karelia over the period 2019 to 2022:
- The first contract covered the modernization of the transmission line between Uimaharju and Pamilo. It was completed in October 2019.
- The transmission line between Kontiolahti and Uimaharju was upgraded next. COVID-19 affected material deliveries, and the line could not be commissioned at the end of 2020 as originally planned. It was commissioned at the start of March 2021.
- The section of the transmission line between Uimaharju and Palojärvi is now under construction, set for completion in summer 2022.
The upgrade work at the substations in Uimaharju and Kontiolahti has been completed. An entirely new substation is under construction in Palojärvi. Work is now underway and the new substation is expected to be commissioned in summer 2022.
TMV Line Oy is the contractor for all the transmission line contracts. Caverion Suomi Oy is the contractor for the Uimaharju substation and TMV Service Oy is the contractor for the Kontiolahti and Palojärvi substations.
