EPV Electricity Transmission

A large amount of additional generation was connected to the network 

As clean energy production increases, preparations will also have to be made for changes in electricity transmission. In 2022, the unit developed electricity transmission connections for wind and solar power projects in particular. 

“The share of wind transmission increased again with more than 200 megawatts of new wind power connected to the network. We have also been preparing for the transfer of solar power, for example, from the large solar farm we are planning to build in Heinineva, Lapua. There are also several other solar power projects underway in our grid area,” says Jukka Rajala, Vice President of the EPV Electricity Transmission business area.

A significant amount of generation is connected to EPV Alueverkko’s network, even on a nationwide scale. A large number of new connection enquiries were received again in 2022, especially in relation to solar power.

“So far, approximately 1,120 MW of wind power and 680 MW of other power sources have been connected to EPV Alueverkko’s network directly, or indirectly through the network of connected customers.”

There are about 240 MW worth of completed connection contracts and projects that can be connected at different stages.

Electricity transmission worked efficiently in 2022 without any significant anomalies. Thanks to effective network protection, any disruptions to customers were short-lived.

Major network extension in Tornio completed

EPV owns EPV Teollisuusverkot jointly with Outokumpu. In 2021, EPV Teollisuusverkot launched a major expansion project at the Sellee substation, located by the Outokumpu steelworks in Tornio, in line with the terms of their joint operation agreement. The project was completed as planned at the end of 2022. 

“This is a major industrial electricity transmission project, not only in Finland but also in the Nordic countries. The investment included the extension of a substation area, the installation of a second 400/110 kilovolt (kV) transformer and the relevant substation equipment, as well as a new 110 kV transmission line between Sellee and Röyttä.”

The Tornio steelworks is the largest single electricity consumer in the Nordic countries. The second transformer included in the network extension significantly increases operational security.

The network infrastructure licensing process for GigaVaasa was started

EPV Siirtoverkko, which was involved in the major GigaVaasa battery value chain project, had to abandon its involvement, and now EPV Alueverkko has grasped the baton. According to the Energy Authority’s policy, the project developer is required to have a network/grid licence, which EPV Siirtoverkko does not have.

“Obtaining a network/grid licence for EPV Siirtoverkko would not have made sense in terms of timing, which is why we decided to transfer the project to EPV Alueverkko. Building high voltage electricity capacity (N-1 fault tolerance) in the area within a short timeframe requires swift action to ensure that the required electricity connections and related services can be provided,” says Rajala.

As a whole, the GigaVaasa area to be built in the district of Laajametsä in Vaasa will be a very large electricity consumption site. Initially, a double 110 kV transmission line and the Laajametsä substation will be built in the area, allowing the first companies to start operating there to connect to the line and get the electricity they need. In the second and third phases, electricity distribution will be extended as the area expands. 

EPV Alueverkko has already started the planning and licensing process. 

“For example, we have applied to reserve 40,000 m² of land for the location and expansion of the substation, which will enable the entire GigaVaasa industrial estate to meet its electricity consumption needs.”

NC ER requirements met

In 2022, EPV Alueverkko met the requirements of the EU Network Code on Emergency and Restoration (NC ER) for substations in its network that Fingrid has identified as significant.

The NC ER rule sets a 24-hour capability requirement for all substations that transmit electricity from generating plants of over 30 MW to the grid. This is to ensure a controlled restoration of the power system in the event of a major national disturbance.

New office building

The construction of EPV Alueverkko’s office and warehouse facilities was completed on schedule in 2022. The installation of EPV’s operation control systems in the building has begun and preparations for taking over the supervision of the network are progressing as planned. There is now also effective storage for the electricity grid’s back-up equipment and cables, and their use can be flexibly arranged as necessary from within the heated building.

Development of the network infrastructure continued

The development of EPV’s network infrastructure continued in 2022. The new and projected transmission line projects will improve the management of the current network’s power transfer situations and, whenever possible, allow new sources of power generation to be connected and transmitted to the grid.

Network/grid building projects completed in 2022:

• Kroksmossen–Norrskogen: new transmission line
• Tuovila–Kärmeskallio: cable switch
• Perälä–Kärppiö: new transmission line
• Kroksmossen: substation
• Kärmeskallio: switchyard
• Kärmeskytö: extended field
• Brändskogen: extended field
• Brännas: extended field
• Paskoonharju: extended fields
• Iijoki: Pahkakoski and Maalismaa substation renovations 
• Sellee substation extension (EPV Teollisuusverkot)
• Sellee–Röyttä: B 110 transmission line (EPV Teollisuusverkot)

Projects under construction, planning and licensing:

• Seinäjoki: GIS substation
• Line arrangements for the new GIS station in Seinäjoki
• Kärmeskytö–Eskoonneva: new transmission line
• Line diversion and cable for Julmala substation
• Tuovila transmission line arrangements
• Laihia: substation extension
• Sänkiaho substation renovation
• Kroksmossen–Paskoonharju: new transmission line
• Brändskogen–Rajavuori: new transmission line
• Laajametsä: substation
• Finne: substation
• Tuovila–Laajametsä: new double transmission line
• Finne–Laajametsä: double transmission line
• Hoisko–Luoma-aho: new transmission line
• Hoisko switchyard renovation
• Heinineva: substation 

EPA transmission from network to consumption 2018-2022 (GWh)

* Starting in February 2019, the significant capacity of the transmission line from Sellee to Röyttä was removed from the figures for EPV Alueverkko and became the responsibility of EPV Teollisuusverkot.

EPA peak hour capacity for consumption 2018-2022 (MWh/h)