The main grid is always planned as a whole with the future in mind. Fingrid’s grid vision currently stretches to 2040. The grid vision is a view of long-term grid development needs and it includes plans that extend beyond the current projects.
The vision is based on opinions about future challenges and needs in electricity transmission. At this time, the grid vision focuses on the transition from fossil fuels to renewable forms of energy, which are becoming more competitive all the time. The system must also be able to respond to transmission needs in the future as well as changes in production and consumption.
This year, 600 kilometres of new transmission lines are in the general planning phase, which is a record high for Fingrid. The projects will progress to the construction phase in the coming years. The entire main grid is over 14,000 kilometres long.
This year, the Lieto–Forssa, Elovaara– Pinsiö, Onnela–Vuoksi and Vanaja–Tikinmaa connections have already been commissioned. The Koria–Yllikkälä transmission lines will be taken into use in November.
Strategically speaking, Fingrid’s most important transmission line project is the new connection from Muhos to the Swedish border and from there to Messaure substation in Sweden. The need to build this third alternating current link (RAC3) between Sweden and Finland illustrates the energy transformation that is in progress. Finland has a growing need to be connected to its neighbouring countries and to strengthen the transmission connection from north to south. This reinforcement enables a reduction in the use of fossil fuels in power production and increasing use of wind power. The first phase of the project involves route planning and an environmental impact assessment.
The Forest Line, which is in the general planning phase, will be larger and more modern than the line that previously ran from Central Finland to Oulu. It is a 400 kV line of about 310 kilometres in length. The Forest Line will facilitate the transmission of electricity coming from Sweden via RAC3 to centres in the south of Finland.
Specialists: Fingrid’s Construction Manager Keijo Välimaa, Land Use Manager Ilkka Alm and Planning Manager Maarit Uusitalo.
The names of the main transmission lines were inspired by nature
Fingrid has named the 400 kilovolt transmission line connections between north and south in the spirit of Finland’s 100th anniversary
Coastal Line: from Turku to Keminmaa
River Line: from Helsinki via Kangasala and Alajärvi to Oulu
Lake Line: from Lappeenranta to Oulu
Forest Line: future connection from Petäjävesi to Oulu
