The upgraded 110 kV Hiukkavaara substation will be integrated into Oulun Energia Sähköverkko Oy’s distribution network.

“The Hiukkavaara substation was earlier a 110 kV branch managed by Fingrid Oyj. It is now being transferred to a separate 110 kV conductor loop,” says Jouni Kytökangas at Oulun Energia Sähköverkko Oy.

In order to carry out the upgrade, the former 110 kV power line from Leväsuo to Oulunsuu was completely rebuilt. Going forward, the 110 kV power line from the Leväsuo substation will pass through the Hiukkavaara substation to Oulunsuu.

“The upgrade has resulted in new 110 kV power lines Levä – Hiukkavaara and Hiukkavaara – Oulunsuu,” says Kytökangas.

All in all, a total of 7.5 kilometres of power lines will be built. Around 4 kilometres of the old Levä – Oulunsuu power line will be replaced. A new section of the line will branch off from Nykäsenkangas. The power lines will be hung from a shared pylon structure for about 3.5 kilometres to the Hiukkavaara substation.

Construction and upgrading work aims to strengthen Oulun Energia Sähköverkko Oy’s own network, which means an even more reliable electricity supply to consumers. The power line now being upgraded is 50 years old and has already reached the end of its technical life and replacing it is a very timely necessity. Jouni Kytökangas says that the new power line will last at least as long as its predecessor.

Reliable arial supply of electricity

Building the power line in the area started in spring last year by clearing the trees and other vegetation along the rout of the line. Upgrading involved removing the pylons earlier in the area and building new lattice pylons in accordance with the redrawn line. Like the earlier ones, the new power lines are aerial ones. Jouni Kytökangas says this is a simple, cost-effective way to build new power lines. Even though underground cabling is extensively used in built-up areas, an aerial line is still a reliable option.

“Just as reliable, if not more so,” says Kytökangas.

The final straight is already in sight and finishing work at the site is already underway. The work is scheduled for completion by the end of June, after which the new line can be brought into operation. Consumers will not experience any power outages as a result of this.

“The cables are currently being installed,” says Kytökangas.

The launch schedule for new distribution network projects has been scheduled for next year. Oulun Energia Sähköverkko Oy’s most important larger projects include the upgrading of Fingrid Oyj’s substation in Leväsuo, where among other things Oulun Energia Sähköverkko Oy is faced with connection changes, including 110 kV underground cabling sections, in three 110 kV output fields.