420 kV line Fjotland to Duge

Construction of a 420 kV transmission line Fjotland – Ertsmyra – Lyse – Duge (Norway)

Over 90 km of new 420 kV AC transmission lines

Statnett (Norwegian transmission line operator) was in the process of building its next-generation main grid. An important step towards the next generation main grid was to increase the grid voltage from 300 to 420 kV (voltage upgrade). This would be done by converting existing 300 kV lines, and by replacing some old lines with new ones. The project was a part of Statnett’s larger “Vestre korridor” or West Corridor Project.

Victor Energy constructed over 1100 individual steel reinforced concrete foundations, and 5315t of self-supported steel lattice towers were assembled and erected (276 towers in total) in extremely remote terrain.

Victor Energy’s approach to construction involved minimizing outages on existing transmission lines to maintain grid capacity during the project. This project was constructed at high altitudes, across extremely challenging Fjordland terrain, and in heavy traffic tourist areas.

The scope of work included over 90 km of new 420 kV AC transmission lines:

Duge – Lyse 16,0 km
Lyse – Tjørhom 24,2 km
Tjørhom – Ertsmyra 27,3 km
Ertsmyra – Fjotland 19,6 km
Re-routing Lysebotn and Fjotland 7,8 km

Completed works include:

Civil works including soil and rock classification and mapping
Decommissioned approximately 18,6 km of existing 300 kV transmission line
Construction works on new 420 kV transmission lines:
- Total length 94,9 km
- Steel reinforced concrete foundations, 4 separate per tower (Pad and chimney column)
- 80% rock foundations, 20% Soil foundations
- 276 self-supported steel lattice towers with guy wires
- Aircraft warning spheres were installed on 23 spans
- Total of 9 transposition towers
Construction works on new 300 kV transmission lines:
- Total length 3,1 km
- Steel reinforced concrete foundations, 4 separate per tower (Pad and chimney column)
- 80% rock foundations, 20% Soil foundations
- 11 self-supported steel lattice towers with guy wires
- Aircraft warning spheres were installed on 1 span

The western corridor project will contribute to safe operation of the main Norwegian grid, increased security of supply, as well as ensuring high utilization of the capacity of the international connections between Norway and Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. The western corridor will also facilitate increased production of renewable energy.

Victor Energy performed the work using innovative strategies employing helicopters and off-road equipment and successfully completed the Fjotland-Ertsmyra-Lyse-Duge Transmission Line project in the period between May 2016 and October 2019.

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