The government sent out a message on Thursday about NVE and Statnett's progress plan for Finnmark. The plan has measures that will facilitate increased power consumption in Finnmark by 2032, before the planned power line is in place. The 420 kV line from Lebesby to Seidafjellet can be completed in 2034.
This completion date is later than the government originally estimated when the so-called power boost was presented almost three years ago, but it is two years faster than authorities planned as recently as September last year. The assessment last September was that the Lebesby-Seidafjellet line could first be in place in 2036. Politicians have long feared power outages in a vulnerable grid and stated that the lack of power stood in the way of business establishments.
We are very satisfied, because we have achieved a breakthrough for a progress plan that is as concrete as possible.
The Energy Department asked NVE and Statnett to consider all possible measures to speed up the power and industry boost. Between 2030 and 2034, temperature upgrades will be made on the line eastward, and a switching station will be installed to enable power exchange with Finland. The capacity until 2034 will become larger due to these upgrades.
Wenche Pedersen, mayor of Vadsø and leader of the East Finnmark Council, is very satisfied with the progress plan. ' Energy Minister Terje Aasland says NVE and Statnett have done important work to clarify a tighter progress plan. However, Truls Gulowsen, leader of the Nature Conservation Association, thinks the timeline sounds very optimistic.
It does not go as fast as we wish, but I think it is very good that a plan has been put in place.
He pointed out that reindeer herding and others must cover the costs of investigations out of their own pockets, which he considers unreasonable. The exact costs associated with the power line and upgrade projects have not been disclosed.