News Tag: News

This project marks the next stage in Elering’s long-term program “Urban Underground Powerlines”, which aims to replace overhead lines in cities with underground cables to make the urban landscape more attractive and improve the reliability of electricity supply.

As part of the project, Enersense will build a new underground cable line to replace approximately 6.5 kilometres of existing 110 kV overhead lines and dismantle the old structures upon completion.

As a result, around 32 hectares of land will be freed from existing construction restrictions, and Tartu will benefit from a more modern, reliable and visually cleaner electricity network.

“We thank our client for their trust. It is an honour for us to take part in building a reliable and future-proof power grid in Estonia,” says Ott Sillukse, Head of High Voltage at Enersense in Estonia.

The work is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2027. The new underground cable will mostly follow the existing overhead line corridor, though in some sections a new route has been chosen to ensure an optimal and safe layout. Most of the cable will be installed using directional drilling technology, which allows the work to be carried out underground without extensive excavation.

“Our team works every day to make Estonia’s electrical infrastructure smarter, safer, and more sustainable. This project is an excellent example of cooperation that creates value for both the community and the entire energy system,” says Enersense’s Senior Project Manager Agur Kollom.

The value of the project is approximately EUR 5 million, and it will be recorded in Enersense’s Power business unit’s order backlog for the fourth quarter.

The robot primarily performs various measurements. It measures vibrations, temperature, and the condition of bearings under conveyor belts more accurately than humans. The dog is equipped with cameras, allowing staff to inspect different areas remotely via computer. It is agile and compact, enabling it to work in tight spaces.

Thanks to the robot’s continuous monitoring, deviations are detected immediately, allowing corrective actions to be taken faster. Likewise, maintenance intervals can be extended when actions are carried out only when truly necessary.

Robot dog makes work safer and more engaging

The robot dog improves both safety and job satisfaction. While measurements are essential, they are monotonous tasks for humans. The areas where the robot operates are often dusty and confined. For instance, air containing sawdust can be harmful to humans. Additionally, the robot dog has a gas detection sensor that alerts staff if carbon monoxide levels become hazardous.

“There are areas in the plant where humans must constantly monitor air quality meters. These are not particularly pleasant places to work, so from a wellbeing perspective, it’s great to have a four-legged assistant,” says Enersense’s development engineer Patrick Niemi.

Initially, a human works closely with the robot dog, but the aim is to train it to operate independently. If needed, a person can control the robot via a tablet. At Enersense, a designated “robot master” trains the dog.

“There has been a lot of interest in becoming a robot master. Many employees are clearly excited about the new colleague, and people from both Enersense and Helen want to come and see it,” Niemi explains.

“In our new strategy, we have committed to providing customers with efficiency and transparency through digital solutions. This also makes us more competitive as a company.” 

The reconstruction will cover 75 km of 330 kV high-voltage lines between Paide–Sopi and Sopi–Sindi in southwestern Estonia, along with 47 km of parallel 110 kV overhead lines. The existing lines, built between 1969 and 1989, have reached the end of their service life. When an old overhead line is dismantled, 235 hectares of land are freed up that can be used, for example, for forestry and thus increase biodiversity.

According to Reigo Kebja, Head of Asset Management at Elering, the renewal of overhead lines is essential to ensure a modern energy system that meets current standards and supports the sustainability of Estonia’s electricity network. The reconstruction of the line is also a prerequisite for the future Estlink 3 connection between Estonia and Finland, as it enables the transmission of electricity across Estonia via Estlink 3.

Enersense will carry out both the design and construction works, offering a full turnkey solution. The total contract value is EUR 27 million, and the work will take place from 2025 to 2027. The order will be recorded in the Power Business Unit’s order book in the third quarter of 2025.

“We are deeply grateful for our customer’s trust and will give our very best throughout the entire project. The reconstruction contract is significant for Enersense, providing an opportunity to apply the best engineering solutions from our design and construction teams. Moreover, as we will carry out the entire project from design to commissioning, the project perfectly aligns with Enersense’s new lifecycle partner strategy and strengthens our position as an expert in energy transmission systems,” says Ott Sillukse, Enersense’s Head of High Voltage in Estonia.

Further information:
Ott Sillukse
Head of High Voltage in Estonia
ott.sillukse@enersense.com