Construction of a main grid cable link in Helsinki to begin this spring
Construction of a new underground main grid cable link in Helsinki will begin this spring. The project, run jointly by Helen Electricity Network, the City of Helsinki and Fingrid, will respond to growing electricity consumption in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and promote the green transition. Construction began on the link from Vaarala in Vantaa to Viikki in Helsinki in December with the clearing of trees from the cable route and worksite areas. The project is proceeding on schedule and is due for completion in 2026.
The cable link enables green transition
The 400-kilovolt cable link is expected to be completed in 2026. When completed, it will run from the Länsisalmi substation in Vantaa to the new Vanhakaupunki substation in the energy block in Viikinranta, Helsinki.
The green transition is increasing the need for electricity transmission. The cable link responds to growing electricity consumption.
- Investments in the electricity grid are essential enablers of the green transition. This is an important project for Helen Electricity Network, as it will allow us to connect new customers to our network. Our Viikinmäki substation project will pave the way for connecting to Fingrid’s 400-kilovolt substation in Vanhakaupunki in 2026, says Markku Hyvärinen, Director of Business Development at Helen Electricity Network.
The new cable link will also enable alterations to the electricity network for the construction of the Western Boulevard City, a project on the other side of Helsinki, around the Vihdintie and Huopalahdentie roads. Once the network is reinforced, the high-voltage 110-kilovolt overhead lines near Vihdintie and Huopalahdentie can be moved underground. This will free up land for infill construction.
- The underground cable we are building now is mainly located under green areas and in the street area of Viikinranta, where new buildings are planned. From the City of Helsinki’s perspective, the project is important for the green energy transition and the development of the urban structure, says Pekka Tirkkonen, Specialist in the Helsinki Urban Environment Division.
The project is progressing on schedule
In 2023, the City of Helsinki, Helen Electricity Network and Fingrid signed a partnership agreement to build a 400-kilovolt electricity transmission link in Helsinki. The National Land Survey of Finland has issued an expropriation permit decision for the cable route. The cable, construction of the cable route, and substation procurement processes progressed in autumn 2023.
- The project has proceeded on schedule and within the budget and in a good spirit of cooperation between the parties, authorities and stakeholders, says Risto Ryynänen, Project Manager at Fingrid.
The largest contractors and suppliers are Hitachi Energy Finland Oy for substations, Tamini Trasformatori S.r.l. (an Italian company) for power transformers, Hyosung Heavy Industries Corporation (a South Korean company) for 400-kilovolt reactors, GRK Finland Ltd and Lännen Alituspalvelu Oy for construction of the cable route, and Demirer Kablo (a Turkish company) for 400-kilovolt cables.
In addition, Architecture Office Olla Ltd and A-Insinöörit Suunnittelu Oy are responsible for the construction design of the Vanhakaupunki and Länsisalmi substations. Ramboll Finland Ltd will continue as the building consultant and designer of the cable route.