ABB to Strengthen Norway’s Grid

ABB has won an order worth more than USD 30 million (approx. EUR 27 million) from Statnett for two substations that will strengthen Norway’s grid reliability, boost power supplies, and facilitate the integration of new renewable energy sources.

The substations will also play a key role in connecting the Norwegian grid to those of the UK and Germany and are a part of the Vestre korridor (Western Corridor) project, to upgrade the transmission network in the region and eventually benefit the Northern European power system, ABB said.

The Norwegian energy mix comprises around 99 percent of the electricity produced on the mainland coming from hydropower.

The country also has significant potential in wind power, both land based and offshore, with other renewable sources being explored, including wave power and bio-energy from wood.

The scope of the order includes design, engineering, supply, installation and commissioning for the two new 420-kilovolt (kV) substations at Lyse and Fjotland. ABB will supply all the major electrical equipment, including the 420 kV gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), as well as live tank circuit breakers, instrument transformers and surge arresters.

The project will be executed as part of a consortium in partnership with a civil contractor, NCC.