Nexans’ Colored Conductors for Overhead Power Lines Blend into Norway’s Pine Forest Scenery

Statnett, Norway’s state-owned power system operator, is deploying Nexans’ innovative colored conductors on the new 420-kV Ørskog – Sogndal overhead transmission link connecting Mid-Norway to Western Norway. The new conductors will feature a special grey-green surface treatment that enables them to blend into the pine forest background on the most environmentally sensitive parts of the route.

The 297-km Ørskog – Sogndal link, planned for completion in 2016, is a strategic grid project that will provide extra transmission capacity for Mid-Norway, where there is a current energy deficit of some 7 TWh, equivalent to the annual consumption of 400,000 single-family homes. The new link will also facilitate the grid connection of around 100 small hydropower schemes.

Nexans will supply a total of 68 km of its new colored conductors for installation on selected parts of the route where Statnett due to licensing requirements is aiming to minimize the local visual impact of the overhead lines. The patented treatment process enables any design of conductor – such as round or Aero-Z™ wires - to be produced in virtually any color.