The report presents our joint view of the development in the power system, and the status of grid development projects of Nordic importance. In this edition, we have also put extra focus on how the power system's technical characteristics change with more production from solar and wind power generation.

"The Nordic countries are part of the same synchronous area and depend on each other to ensure stable operation. We must jointly develop new solutions that can ensure stability also in a future with even more solar and wind power," says Martine Moe Winsnes, director of Long-term power system development in Statnett.

 

Key Points from the Report

  • The Nordic power system is well integrated due to a long history of cross border cooperation on grid, operations, and market development. This has been a core prerequisite for the high level of renewable production, and it will continue to be so with a Nordic power system which is expected to be carbon-free around 2035/40.

 

  • The direction towards a carbon-free system has been laid out, and the Nordic TSOs are focused on making this possible even though it is complex and requires new solutions and increased collaboration to ensure the ambition of a good investment climate, increased amount of renewables, increased electrification, and continued high levels of security of supply.

 

  • A strong and robust Nordic power grid is central to enable the right pace and evolvement of the system, and to ensure this we need significant amount of new grid investments. Having a strong grid both nationally and across borders enables continued utilization of national competitive advantages in the Nordic system.

 

  • The expected high growth in power demand, alongside a surge in intermittent power production from solar and wind energy leads to escalating need for a rapid development of new flexibility within the power system which is better addressed in collaboration.

 

  • A significantly higher proportion of power equipment, connected via power electronics, presents significant challenges to the future power system, but with a common development and testing of new solutions we can find new solutions for the Nordic power system.