The switching station in the original Imatra substation was refurbished over the course of several years, but it eventually reached the end of its life cycle. The new substation was built next to the old one, and the old one will be demolished. The new substation was inaugurated in the early autumn of 2020. The project’s investment costs amounted to approximately EUR 11.5 million.
“The Imatra substation is located in the historical environment of the Imatrankoski rapids, a conservation site. For that reason, we worked closely with the Finnish National Board of Antiquities, the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, and the Town of Imatra when we designed the substation and its surroundings. The outcome is respectful of the area’s history, although the new substation and its buildings are, in fact, very modern. The substation’s portals and the first towers are stylish, landmark towers,” says Jarmo Henttinen, Fingrid’s Project Manager.
The Imatra substation remains an important part of the electricity transmission network in South Karelia. There is a relatively large amount of industry in South Karelia, which is why the statistics place Lappeenranta as the municipality with the third-highest electricity consumption, behind Helsinki and Tornio.
New transmission line from Imatra to Huutokoski
In the summer, Fingrid began working on modernising the 110-kilovolt Imatra–Huutokoski transmission line and building foundations.
“The old transmission line dates back to the 1930s, and its condition has deteriorated over time. We are modernising 130 kilometres of the transmission line and replacing the wooden towers with steel ones. The project has been split into two parts and construction began in the summer. The erection of towers will begin in the autumn,” says Tommi Raussi, the project manager for part A of the project.
The new transmission line is due to be completed in autumn 2022.
