Helsinki cable project enters implementation phase

Finland’s transmission system operator Fingrid decided in December 2022 to invest more than EUR 100 million in building a cable link. This spring, the City of Helsinki, Helen Electricity Network and Fingrid signed a partnership agreement on a 400-kilovolt electricity transmission link in Helsinki.

The agreement covers the construction of a new 400-kilovolt cable link from the Länsisalmi substation in Vantaa to the new Vanhakaupunki substation to be built in the Viikinranta energy block in Helsinki.

A new cable link is needed to cater for increasing electricity consumption. It will also allow for the electricity network arrangements required to build the Western Boulevard City.

Construction of the connection to begin next year

“The expropriation permit application required for the cable link was submitted to the National Land Survey of Finland this spring.  We will make further advances on the 400-kilovolt cable, construction of the cable route, and substation procurement processes this year,” says Risto Ryynänen, Project Director at Fingrid.

Helsinki City Council approved the detailed town plan for the Viikinranta energy block in April. The amended town plan allows for the construction of a street connection to the area. The new street connection will serve as the location of the underground cable connection and enable large transformers to be transported to the area.

The aim is for the town plan for the Viikinranta energy block to take legal effect and for the expropriation permit for the cable route to be granted this autumn. Construction will begin in spring 2024, and the cable link will be ready for commissioning in autumn 2026.

The cable link will promote the green transition and the Western Boulevard City

A new cable link is needed as electricity consumption in the Helsinki metropolitan area is increasing while local electricity production is decreasing – Helen is making a transition to carbon-neutral energy production.

“One effect of the green transition is to increase the demand for electricity transmission. The capital also needs more electricity transmission capacity. Fingrid’s 400-kilovolt cable link will be a key facilitator of the green transition in our area,” says Markku Hyvärinen, Director of Business Development at Helen Electricity Network.

In addition, the City of Helsinki is planning infill construction as part of a project known as the Western Boulevard City to supplement the building stock in the districts of Haaga, Munkkiniemi and Pitäjänmäki around the Vihdintie road and Huopalahti district. Fingrid’s new cable link will free up land for construction.