Two important licences for the next-generation main grid
(7/2/2010)
"With the go-ahead for construction of these two important projects; Sima-Samnanger and Skagerrak 4, Statnett is taking vital steps in the work to secure future security of supply, good climate solutions and increased value creation for all of Norway. Two licence decisions of this magnitude in one day is unusual, but highly important for us to achieve our high ambitions for the development of the next-generation main grid," says CEO Auke Lont of Statnett.
"The Sima-Samnanger is the most controversial cable connection we have ever proposed," Lont continues. “We will do everything in our power to build this with the utmost care and consideration, and show concern for those who are impacted by the development. I hope and believe we will achieve a good dialogue as to how this can be done in the best possible way. Our reason for developing the connection Sima-Samnanger is crystal clear; namely to secure the future electricity supply to the counties of Hordaland and Sogn og Fjordane," CEO Auke Lont concludes.
Sima-Samnanger will secure the future power supply to Hordaland
The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has concluded its processing of the complaints in regard to the new 420 kV line in Hardanger, and granted Statnett a final licence. The connection is vital to secure power supply to the counties of Hordaland and Sogn og Fjordane, between the Hardangerfjord and the Sognefjord, including the city of Bergen.
This will facilitate the further development of the region, with more people and companies moving in. The power line will also improve the capacity out of Hordaland in the summer season, and enable the realisation of plans for new renewable production.
The power line will be dimensioned for an operating voltage of 420 kV. It will run between the Sima transformer station in Eidfjord municipality, via Ulvik, Granvin and Kvam to the Samnanger transformer station in Børdalen in Samnanger municipality. The total length will be 92.3 kilometers.
The power line work may be completed near the end of 2012, at the earliest.
Skagerrak 4: A fourth cable to Denmark
Statnett has also been granted a licence from the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate for a fourth subsea cable between Norway and Denmark; Skagerrak 4, on the Norwegian side. A new cable to Denmark will give Norway the benefit of more secure power supply in dry years, whilst enabling Denmark to focus even more on wind power and reducing domestic CO2 emissions. The NVE decision on Skagerrak 4 may be appealed.
Skagerrak 4 is planned as a 140 kilometres long DC subsea cable with a capacity of around 800 MW, with the cable continuing another 10 kilometres on the Norwegian side to Kristiansand transformer station in Vennesla. The cable will be routed into the Ålefjærfjord, landed at Kvivika and go via Takstedalen to Flaten. From there, the cable will be routed through a micro tunnel underneath sections of the built-up areas down to the Otra river. After crossing the Otra, the route goes via Myrvoll to reach Kristiansand transformer station. On the Danish side, Skagerrak 4 will be cabled for another estimated 90 kilometres to its connection with the central grid in Tjele in Jutland.
The owners of the cable will be Statnett together with cooperating Energinet.dk, the national Danish power grid company. The project has a total estimated cost of NOK 3 billion. The companies will share the costs for the subsea cable, while the land-based investments will be covered by the national companies respectively. The cable has been planned as an integrated part of the Norwegian and Danish national main grids. This means that profits will be used to reduce the main grid tariff in both Norway and Denmark.
The cable connection is scheduled for completion in 2014.
