Main grid development plan: investments in electricity transmission links continue to grow

Finland’s main grid is currently being reinforced more than ever before, and at an accelerating pace: investments will reach EUR 1.7 billion in the period 2025–2028. A huge increase in planned customer projects shows that clean, secure and affordable electricity is attracting electricity-intensive industry to Finland.

The projects presented in the draft development plan are based on Fingrid's forecasts of customer needs, which have been used to identify development needs, and particularly in main grid trunk connections. The plan also presents transmission line projects that will serve customer needs and whose zoning and permit processes have progressed. The timeline for reinforcing the main grid may change as customer needs and forecasts are updated.

Fingrid is also seeking to make more efficient use of the existing grid through a variety of measures aimed at increasing its transmission capacity, and with the aid of customer flexibility, but without compromising security of supply. In addition, the conditional connection agreement introduced by Fingrid earlier this summer brings certainty to the grid connections of large industrial projects and thus promotes investment decision-making.

The main grid’s key development needs

The main grid development plan covers not only its key trunk connections, but also reinforcements at regional level. The development plan has identified significant needs for reinforcement in north–south and west–south transmission links, which will be implemented with the aid of new transmission lines and compensation solutions.

About two-thirds of the country’s electricity consumption is located in Southern Finland, to the south of Tampere. Several transmission connections will be completed by the end of the decade to reinforce transmission lines in the region.

At the moment, it is only possible to connect new electricity production and consumption to Eastern Finland in a decentralised manner. In addition to the transmission line projects that are already underway, Fingrid is actively monitoring the situation in Eastern Finland and preparing to launch the necessary grid reinforcements as customer projects progress. Fingrid is also launching an environmental impact assessment in preparation for the implementation of an eastbound 400-kilovolt transmission link.

Fingrid's aim is to develop the main grid as a means of ensuring that customers have the opportunity for growth. In addition to grid investments, project location steering and the implementation of flexible, hybrid connections can facilitate the connection of customer projects to the grid. Effective development of the main grid also requires adequate financing and smooth permit processes. For example, it currently takes almost two years to obtain expropriation permits for transmission lines, which makes it difficult to meet customers' rapidly changing needs.

Send us your feedback 

The draft main grid development plan is available on Fingrid’s website (in Finnish) , where you will also find a link for sharing feedback. The development plan will be presented to customers at a seminar on 29 September, and feedback can be given until 3 October at palautteet@fingrid.fi. After that, the plan will be updated and the final development plan will be published in late 2025.

Further information:

Jussi Jyrinsalo, Senior Vice President, Transmission System Services and Grid Planning, Fingrid Oyj, tel. +358 30 3955118, e-mail addresses: forename@surname@fingrid.fi

Term explanation: What is the main grid development plan?

The main grid development plan presents the development needs of the main grid for the next ten years. The preparation of the grid development plan is subject to the provisions of the Electricity Market Act, and the plan is updated every two years. Fingrid will first publish a draft development plan for stakeholder comments. The feedback received while the draft is being circulated for comments will be assessed, and Fingrid will then publish the final grid development plan after making any necessary revisions.