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South–West Link Project, Norway–Sweden [free access]

Developers: Statnett of Norway and Svenska Kraftnat of Sweden

Project detail and status: The South-West link project includes construction of transmission lines to connect the Swedish power grid in Nässjö to that of Norway’s, and is being implemented by Swedish transmission network operator (TSO) Svenska Kraftnät and its Norwegian counterpart Statnett. The USD1.09 billion project spans 700-800 km and aims to increase the transmission capacity and the robustness of the transmission system in the region.

The project will include construction of high voltage direct current (HVDC) underground cables from the Barkeryd substation to Hurva in Sweden; HVDC underground cables from Tveiten in the Oslo area in Norway to the Barkeryd substation; and a new 400 kV high voltage alternate current (HVAC) power line replacing an existing 220 kV line between Hallsberg in Närke and Nässjö in Sweden.

The Barkeryd–Hurva and Barkeryd–Hallsberg lines form the southern branch of the project formerly known as the Southern Link while the Barkeryd–Oslo section forms the western link.

The South-West Link is estimated to cost SEK669-765.19 million for the Swedish part, making it the largest investment in the Swedish grid in the last 30 years.

In August 2011, Svenska Kraftnat awarded two contracts totaling SEK120 million to Germany-based Siemens Limited as part of the South-West link project. As per the contract, Siemens will supply and construct the new 400/130 kV Astansja substation and install 31 circuit breakers of 400 kV at the Hurva and Barkeryd substations in the country.

In September 2011, Svenska Kraftnat announced its plan to invest SEK7.3 billion to construct the AC line between Hallsberg and Barkeryd and a DC line between Barkeryd and Hurva in Sweden.

In October 2011, Statnett announced its initial plans for the new 400 kV South-West power link. As per the plans, the line will cover between 60 and 110 km depending on the stretch opted for, and will have a carrying capacity of about 1,400 MW.

In January 2012, Alstom Grid and ABB won contracts from Svenska Kraftnät for the link. Alstom’s EUR420 million contract requires the supply of HVDC converter stations at both ends as well as control and protection, converter transformers, switchyard equipment, and construction and project management while ABB was awarded a USD160 million contract to provide a new high-voltage underground cable system for the South-West Link project.

In June 2012, Swedish multinational construction company Skanska AB was awarded a USD74 million contract by Svenska Kraftnat for undertaking earthworks along a 185 km cable through Värnamo in Småland and Hurva in Skåne.

In August 2012, Svenska Kraftnat began construction on the project. The north branch (Hallsberg-Barkeryd) and south branch (Barkeryd-Hurva) are estimated to be completed at the end of 2014 or beginning of 2015, and the west branch (Barkeryd-Tveiten) is estimated to be ready at the earliest by 2018.

Svenska Kraftnat also launched pre-qualification bids for the construction and erection of a 400 kV overhead power line between Hallsberg–Östansjö and Barkeryd (Sweden) in four packages in the same month.

The project is due for completion at the end of 2014.

(EUR1=USD1.25)