The work to prepare the Aurora Line is ongoing. The photo is from the area near Mårdsel.
Several different projects are ongoing at the same time within the programme Fossilfritt övre Norrland (Fossil free northern Norrland), where the government body Svenska kraftnät’s (SvK) goal includes to half the lead times from 12–14 years to 6–7 years.
– Overall we’re on schedule but of course there are challenges, says Maria Jalvemo, programme manager.
Two of the projects have progressed as far as the preparatory groundwork being underway and the construction is planned to start in 2024:
- Aurora Line, running between Messaure and Keminmaa is to reinforce the transmission capacity between Sweden and Finland.
- Porjusberget–Vitåfors, which is to provide electricity to Hybrit’s demo facility. Additional inventory of cultural and natural values is taking place this summer along the line that is the primary alternative route. It runs west of Muddus national park and Dundret.
Several new power lines are planned by Svenska kraftnät in order to reinforce regions where big investments are planned. This includes Skellefteå, Gällivare and Luleå/Boden. The transmission capacity to Finland is reinforced.
A bit further along in the planning stage is the package Norrlandskusten, which is to reinforce the Skellefteå region and the Boden/Luleå region where Northvolt, H2 Green Steel, Fertiberia, SSAB, LKAB and other large industrial projects are planned.
The 8 billion kronor package includes three 400 kV power transmission lines and two 400 kV connecting lines. These are to contribute with an effect of 1,000 megawatt (MW) to Skellefteå and 1,000 MW to the Boden area.
– There is an excess of electricity production in the north but these calculations also include plans of additional electricity production. As a comparison, 2,500 MW is the equivalent of the production from two large nuclear power plants, says Maria Jalvemo.
”Of course there are challenges”, says Maria Jalvemo.
We start outside Skellefteå where Svenska kraftnät has changed the earlier plans. The original idea to reinforce the grid between Stornorrfors power station and Högnäs transmission network station has now been adjusted to a line from Vargfors power station to Strömfors where a new 400 kV station is to be built and onwards to Högnäs.
Counsel before consultation or a ”corridor dialogue” was held in May in Skellefteå. Participants in addition to SvK was Skellefteå and Norsjö municipalities, the county administrative board, the Swedish Transport Administration, Skellefteå kraft, Vattenfall, F21 and the Swedish Energy Markets Inspectorate.
Skellefteå kraft will connect to Strömfors transmission network station.
Vargfors power station in Skellefteälven is about ninety kilometres upstream from Skellefteå.
– We have an agreement with Skellefteå kraft stating that they are responsible for all lines towards the coast or the town of Skellefteå, says Jalvemo.
One forecast says that the new line will be operational in 2030.
Regarding the reinforcement in Boden/Luleå, where a new line is to run from Letsi power station to Svartbyn and onwards to Luleå, the process has come further.
The earlier corridors that were decided have now been trimmed to form concrete proposals for power line corridors that are to be communicated at the consultation held from August to October.
– They will largely follow the route of the existing lines but we don’t want to announce everything before it’s decided. It will become public in connection with the consultation.
The switchgear in Norra Svartbyn is to supply electricity to H2 Green Steel. A transmission network station is now being built in Degerträsk.
The new transmission network station is being built in Degerträsk and may be operational as early as 2026.
– In that respect we are in a particularly good position to meet the requirements of the industry’s time schedule.
Between Svartbyn and Hertsöfältet, where a number of electro-intensive industries want to establish themselves, there are sensitive passages. Including Ormberget-Hertsölandet’s nature reserve.
– We know that we need to adapt to natural and cultural values. It’s always a balancing act to weigh different interests against others, says Maria Jalvemo.
Vattenfall is planning two 130 kV lines to Hertsöfältet. These will complement the 400 kV line that Svenska kraftnät are adding to the grid.
For several years Vattenfall has also been preparing a reinforcement of the grid between Svartbyn and Hertsöfältet, adding two 130 kV lines.
– We have held intensive discussion with Vattenfall where we have agreed that both ours and Vattenfall’s lines are needed in order to meet the effect requirements of the industrial sector. However, we will not install our 400 kV lines further than to Hällbacken. Vattenfall will cover the last section to Hertsöfältet as their lines have narrower corridors which means less of an encroachment.
Both the Skellefteå area and Luleå/Boden will gain an additional effect of 1,000 MW.
There are enormous projects conducted in northern Sweden where the electricity grid is to be reinforced. The picture shows preparatory work ahead of Aurora Line that runs from Messaure to Finland.
Jalvemo assesses that the new investments will be operational in 2028–2030. However, SvK has issued an alert about the investments being insufficient. In a best case scenario they will only cover a fifth of the future need.
– Based on the inquiries Vattenfall has reported we know that a lot more needs to be done.
Can that be calculated into the current work being done?
– Yes, we do that to a certain degree but for the industrial projects to become reality we also need more production. And as we don’t know where the production will end up it’s difficult to know where the next investment package with new lines will be needed, says Maria Jalvemo.
Maria Jalvemo is project managing the work into the power lines and transmission network stations that are to reinforce the coast, that is Skellefteå and Luleå/Boden.
New power lines are to reinforce the power grid in northern Sweden. They are multi-billion investments but will still not cover the need, according to Svenska kraftnät.