Finland had to switch on two emergency power stations this morning to avoid a power shortage. This is reported by high-voltage grid operator Fingrid. The company had already warned at the end of last month about power cuts this winter due to the current energy crisis. A few months ago, Russia stopped supplying electricity to neighboring Finland.
Fingrid started up two of its own fuel oil reserve power stations. These are installations in Huutokoski, in the south-east of the country, and in south-western Forssa. The power stations ran for three hours, it says in a press release. For example, 200 megawatts of power were added to the grid. This ensured the necessary balance between production and consumption on the power grid.
On average, the power stations are needed once or twice a year, but mostly because of an unexpected loss in power production and not because of the risk of power scarcity, a spokesperson adds. “This morning production was insufficient to cover consumption. “We have reached the technical limit of power imports from Sweden and power production from wind energy was very, very weak.”
New nuclear reactor
Fingrid has about 600 megawatts of reserve this winter, on top of 12,300 megawatts of estimated capacity.
The country hopes to be able to call on the new nuclear reactor Olkiluoto-3 this winter. It was launched at the end of December last year and is currently in the testing phase. According to operator TVO, the plant could operate at full capacity of 1,600 megawatts in early October.”
NATO candidacy
When Finland announced its candidacy for NATO in May, amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russia cut electricity supplies. Moscow cited payment problems. With 900 megawatts of power, Russian power imports accounted for about ten percent of Finnish power consumption. Sweden can supply up to 2,400 megawatts to the neighboring country, but the Swedes also have scarcity problems and regularly have to switch on emergency power stations on fuel oil.
ALSO WATCH. Russia no longer supplies oil or gas at price ceiling
READ ALSO. MR comes up with its own proposal for those who do not have a social rate: “Cheaper ‘basic package’ for everyone. Without distinction”
How worrying is the situation around the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant? “If we are unlucky, we are no longer allowed to eat leafy vegetables and the cows have to go into stables”
European gas price continues to fall, to just below 200 euros per megawatt hour
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and don’t miss out on any of the stars.