Siemens Energy and Norwegian DSO sign grid modernisation contract

Dec 24, 2023

A €200 million ($242.4 million) agreement has been signed between Norwegian distribution system operator (DSO) Lyse Elnett and Siemens Energy for the modernisation of the grid network in the DSO's service territories in Southern Norway.

Siemens Energy has been tasked with strengthening the DSO's grid system in the Sar-Rogaland region with the construction of new substations and the modernisation of existing ones.

Siemens Energy will provide the DSO with the company's vacuum interrupter substation technology and related operation and maintenance services.

The project will help Lyse Elnett to meet the challenge of increasing energy demand, the volatile feed-in of renewable energy and to reduce carbon emissions within its power transmission network through the elimination of fluorinated gases (F-gases) in substations.

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Norway is one of the global front-runners in phasing out climate-harming F-gases in the power grid, according to a statement, with the country grid operators having in the past two years ordered 60 bays of f-gas-free gas insulated switchgears from Siemens Energy.

Evy Thorbjørnsen, project director at Lyse Elnett, said: "Limiting the environmental impact of our operations without compromising on safety and reliability of power transmission, is a top priority for us. When it comes to reducing the usage of F-gases, we know that the alternatives from Siemens Energy have zero global warming potential. The agreement is an essential step on our pathway to a more environmentally friendly operation of our substations."

Lyse Elnett expects the substations to operate for eight years.

Beatrix Natter, Executive Vice President Transmission at Siemens, adds: "Redesigning switching technologies in substations and avoiding F-gases is key to make the transmission grid more sustainable."