Empower to build a strategically important high-voltage power line for the Baltic region

Empower signed a project contract on 21 August 2017 with the Estonian grid company Elering for construction of a 330 kV high voltage power line between the Estonian towns of Harku, Lihula and Sindi. The total value of the contract is EUR 60 million, which makes it the largest single investment in Elering’s history. The project covers the entire planning and construction of this new, strategically important power line. The project begins in September 2017. Construction work is scheduled to begin in autumn 2018, and is due for completion by the end of 2020. The project, which is being jointly carried out by Empower and Leonhard Weiss, will employ approximately 100 people.

“This is a significant project for the Baltic region. Harku-Sindi is part of the third interconnection between Estonia and Latvia, which enables the Baltic countries to become less dependent from Russia’s electricity network and connects us to the continental European network”, explains Elering CEO Taavi Veskimägi. “The new line also ensures better electricity supply security for our western islands, and creates opportunities for connecting additional electricity producers to the distribution network in western Estonia.”

The Harku-Lihula-Sindi line will be about 170 kilometers long. For most of its length it will be a twin circuit line, with 330 kV and 110 kV circuits on the same masts. The line will be equipped with fibre optic protection against lightning.

“This project involves some features that are new for Estonia. The towers will have a novel design, and all the cabling will be done with explosive joints”, says Director of Empower Jaanis Järvet. “This method is expected to be more durable, and ensures better quality of electricity transmission. We at Empower have experience and expertise in these methods from our projects in Finland and Sweden. In addition, the Estonian Ornithological Society will cooperate with us in installing warning balls on the power lines to protect birds.”

“We are delighted that Elering chose us to carry out this project”, adds Timo Kiiveri, President of Empower’s Power Network Services. “This is a good continuation of our cooperation, which began in 2010 when we were chosen to work on the Tartu-Viljandi-Sindi line which is partly used for the third interconnection. With this project we will further strengthen our presence and market position in the Baltics, Continues Timo Kiiveri.

Additional information requests:

Timo Kiiveri, President of Power Network Services
Tel. +358 40 543 3039

Empower is a multinational service company that builds and maintains electricity and telecom networks, maintains factories and power plants and delivers information management systems and services to the energy sector. The company provides services in more than a hundred locations in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. In 2016 the group's turnover was ca. EUR 243 million and it employs some 1700 persons. www.empower.eu

Elering is an independent electricity and gas united system operator whose main task is to ensure high-quality energy supply to Estonian consumers. To this end, the company manages, administers and develops the domestic and cross-border electricity infrastructure. Through its activities, Elering ensures the conditions for the functioning of the energy market and economic development. www.elering.ee