Low-emission steel piloted for the first time in Fingrid’s substation structures in Harjavalta

Enersense, a provider of zero-emission energy solutions, won a contract in Fingrid’s public bidding process at the beginning of the year for the construction of three new 110 kV substations in the Harjavalta area. The substations will be built as gas insulated switchgear (GIS) using a gas insulation solution that does not contain any SF6 gas which is a significant greenhouse gas.

As part of the project, Enersense’s delivery includes all steel structures to be built in the substation area, requiring a total of 76,000 kg of steel. The structures consist of 110 kV transmission line portals to be built in the substation area. There will be substation portals for connecting a total of fourteen transmission lines and they will be made of hot-dip galvanized steel.

Through its partners, Enersense procures all the steel structures in question as low-emission steel. In this project, low-emission steel means that the structures to be delivered are made of recycled steel and their carbon dioxide emissions are, on average, approximately 40% lower compared to structures manufactured using iron ore-based production methods.

The project is Fingrid’s first of this scale in Finland where all steel structures in the substation area will be delivered made of low-emission steel.

“Our experts have worked hard to find more sustainable steel solutions. Our procurement department has been in contact with nearly 100 different suppliers around the world to find suitable steel structures with lower emissions. We are excited about the result, but we know that this is only the first step towards sustainable steel construction. Fingrid has played a very important role in the realisation of the project. Such projects can be implemented when the end user is genuinely committed to their own emission targets,” says Eero Törmä, Engineering Manager for substations, Power at Enersense.

“Sustainability means actions and choices in everyday life. It’s easy to hide behind different reporting frameworks and abbreviations. Fingrid has a significant positive impact on climate change mitigation as we build an electricity network that will enable Finland to reduce emissions through electrification. We are ready to reduce our own negative climate impacts by switching to such electricity network structures in the future, the manufacture or use of which does not cause emissions. Steel is a key material in the formation of the climate impacts of grid construction, and we monitor the availability and suitability of low-emission products in this regard. It is better to be at the forefront of development doing things and showing the way than to be led by others in the rear,” says Timo Kiiveri, Executive Vice President at Fingrid.

More information:

Eero Törmä, Engineering Manager, substations, Power
Tel.: +358 44 425 2099
Email: eero.torma@enersense.com

Media contacts:
Tommi Manninen, SVP, Communications and Public Affairs
Tel.: +358 40 043 7515
Email: tommi.manninen@enersense.com