FINLAND – Fingrid has chosen Hitachi Energy's SF6-free circuit breakers for the 110 kV Heinola substation renewal project.

Fingrid has made a procurement decision to renew Heinola's 110 kV substation. The renewal of the substation, built in 1976, should improve the reliability of the area and enable future customer connections, the utility said in a press release.

New SF6-free technology will be introduced in connection with the renewal of the Heinola substation. It is Fingrid's first large-scale SF6-free circuit breaker pilot project to replace the normal switches at the open switch plant with SF6-free circuit breakers supplied by Hitachi Energy.

"We are pleased to be able to support Fingrid's goals and, at the same time, the construction of a clean energy system in Finland with our solutions,” said Sales Director Toni Heino of Hitachi Energy Finland.

Fingrid's goal is for all new 110 kV GIS instruments to represent new, environmentally friendly insulation technology from 2025.

"In accordance with our road map, we have launched the first substation projects with SF6-free technology. Most of the SF6 gas is in indoor switch plants in GIS instruments, but it is important to also gain experience with outdoor switchgear like Heinola with new technology," says Janne Eskelinen, Head of Fingrid's Network Lifecycle Management Unit.

Heinola's new substation will be commissioned in fall 2023. TMV Service Oy has been selected as the project's substation contractor.

Source: Fingrid