Reed NewsReed News

Finland and Sweden Study Second Aurora Line Despite Electricity Price Controversy

Economy & businessEconomy
Key Points
  • Finnish and Swedish grid operators Fingrid and Svenska Kraftnät are studying a second Aurora Line electricity interconnector between the two countries.
  • The first Aurora Line has faced criticism for contributing to high electricity prices, though officials say cold weather was the primary cause.
  • A joint study on Aurora Line 2 is underway and expected to be completed in 2026, with any potential project not likely until around 2040.

Despite controversy over its impact on electricity prices, Finnish and Swedish grid operators are exploring plans for a second Aurora Line electricity interconnector between the two countries. According to Swedish public broadcaster SVT, Fingrid (Finland) and Svenska Kraftnät (Sweden) have begun preliminary work on Aurora Line 2, which would further integrate the nations' electricity systems.

The first Aurora Line, recently inaugurated, has been blamed for contributing to high electricity prices in northern regions during the winter. However, Daniel Gustafsson, head of power systems at Svenska Kraftnät, stated that while the Aurora Line contributed to somewhat increased prices in certain situations, the primary cause was extremely cold weather.

while the Aurora Line contributed to somewhat increased prices in certain situations, the primary cause was extremely cold weather.

Daniel Gustafsson, head of power systems at Svenska Kraftnät

The two grid operators are currently conducting a joint study to determine where, how, or if Aurora Line 2 should be built, with the study expected to be completed during 2026. Gustafsson emphasized that no decisions have been made, noting that any potential project would likely not be realized until around 2040. The future vision depends heavily on industrial developments and electrification projects in northern Sweden, which would affect electricity consumption patterns and potentially make a second interconnector beneficial rather than problematic.

no decisions have been made, noting that any potential project would likely not be realized until around 2040.

Daniel Gustafsson, head of power systems at Svenska Kraftnät

Transparency

How we verified this article

UnconfirmedBased on 1 sources
1 sources4 Involved