GE has agreed to upgrade main power grid in Oslo and Akershus in Norway to boost electricity capacity and security.
The company's scope of work will be to supply its Gas Insulated Substations (GIS), which are claimed to offer increased capacity and improved security in electricity supply to the network of Statnett, Norway’s state-owned electric utility company that is preparing for an environmentally friendly energy mix.
As per the agreement, GE Power will supply and install new transformr station at Smestad in the country. This will cater to general electricity consumption. The contract also includes complete station construction, supply new 420kV gas-insulated plant, nine switch fields and a new control building.
The plant will be built underground and is expected to be complete by 2021.
GE says that the project will be managed from its offices in Oslo, Norway’s capital.
The main power network is presently being powered by a 300kV voltage and this will be upgraded to a higher range of 420kV, which requires replacing old wires and substations.
Higher voltage levels mean that the new network will be able to transmit about 60% more power, resulting in increased security of supply for people living in the Oslo region.
The upgrades are part of Statnett’s Greater Oslo Grid Plan. Norway expects a 21% growth in its population from 2015 to over 6.3 million by 2040. Demand for energy in the country has been changing. There is a high demand for electric and hybrid vehicles. Presently, they make up about half of all the vehicles being sold in the country. People are also using electric heaters instead of oil boilers.
A strong population growth coupled with new technology in heating and transport have made it necessary to upgrade the country’s mainstream power network, which is more than 60 years old.
GE Power Grid Solutions Norway country manager Espen Bostadløkken said: "Demand for electricity is increasing and in turn requires a more modern grid that can securely and efficiency support greater capacity.
“We are proud Statnett chose GE to contribute technology and expertise to this important upgrade that will help to safely provide more electricity to the people of Norway."