Breakthrough for the 420 kV line to Øst-Finnmark

(CEO of Statnett, Auke Lont, together with Per Erik Ramstad and Terje Skansen)

This is a significant milestone that has now been reached. After many years of effort, Øst-Finnmark will also gain an infrastructure that enables growth and industrial and commercial development. Varanger Kraft, together with the municipalities in Øst-Finnmark, has for many years fought for the region’s opportunities and for sufficient grid capacity to ensure a stable power supply. This is essential infrastructure that is taken for granted in more central parts of the country. Today, we can celebrate this breakthrough. Group CEO Terje Skansen of Varanger Kraft speaks on behalf of both the regional power industry and the municipalities when he says that this is a day of joy and a milestone in the development of Øst-Finnmark.

Varanger Kraft and Finnmark Kraft are the two companies that hold licenses for new wind power development on the Varanger Peninsula. We now finally have the opportunity to make use of the license that has been granted, where further wind development would otherwise have come to a halt because the power could not be delivered to customers. We are very pleased with the constructive dialogue we have had with both Statnett and Finnmark Kraft, and we look forward to continue the good cooperation during the planning phase, says Skansen.

Due to an insufficient power grid, both industrial development and further expansion of wind power in Øst-Finnmark have been impossible. With Statnett’s decision, this bottleneck has now been removed. The municipalities in the region have had major plans for developing industry and creating jobs, and these can now be realised.

"I am proud of the company and the owner municipalities that have stood firm over a long period of time. With the new upgraded transmission line, we can fully embrace our role as a modern power company that supports and strengthens the business community in the region. Today, Statnett is showing itself from its best side - as a forward‑looking and reliable partner," says Liv Monica Stubholt, Chair of the Board of Varanger Kraft.

Together with our owners, Varanger Kraft has actively participated in Statnett’s assessment, and we are pleased that the conclusions place strong emphasis on industrial and societal growth based on renewable energy use.

This also greatly increases the potential for electrifying the mining industry, enabling Finnmark to develop the world’s most sustainable mining operations - and thereby contribute the minerals the world needs, extracted using clean energy produced in the north, says Stubholt.

Contact:
Group CEO Varanger Kraft Terje Skansen, phone. 901 42 554.
Chair of the Board Varanger Kraft Liv Monica Stubholt, phone. 916 50 523.