Elenia has carried out long-term work to modernise ageing electricity networks. The share of weatherproof electricity network in our network area is approaching 70 per cent this decade as the modernisation of the ageing network progresses in sparsely populated rural areas. Our target is to achieve a 90% underground cabling rate by 2036.
Our task is to support the smooth running of the everyday life of our customers. We serve our 440,000 customers in an area that comprises 100 municipalities in Kanta-Häme, Päijät-Häme, Pirkanmaa, Central Finland, South Ostrobothnia and North Ostrobothnia. We have more than 76,000 kilometres of electricity network in these five regions.
Despite the continuous progress of network modernisation, storms, thunder and snow load continue to cause power outages in overhead line networks. Our goal is to ensure the security and safety of electricity distribution to homes, companies and society, which is why network modernisation is carried out continuously.
The solution: Elenia Weatherproof
In 2009, we made the decision to make all new and modernised electricity network weatherproof by placing cables underground. The decision was based on the development of weatherproof electricity network solutions with universities, equipment manufacturers and our contractor partners. Taking into account maintenance costs and fault repair costs caused by power outages over the entire service life of the electricity network, an underground cable network is not more expensive than overhead lines.
Also from the safety and environmental perspective, an underground, weatherproof network is the most sustainable solution to replace an overhead line network.
In network modernisation, we replace pole-mounted transformers with environmentally friendly park transformers. The security of electricity distribution has also been improved by the automation of the electricity network. Remote-controlled disconnectors and network switches as well as earth fault compensation equipment have strengthened the security of supply and speeded up fault repair.
Elenia’s compensation for power outages lasting over 6 hours
Since 2009, we have been the only company in Finland to pay our own voluntary compensation for power outages lasting more than six hours. During power outages, we provide customers with real-time information through our telephone service, outage map and free SMSs.
| Elenia's Electricity Network 31 Dec 2023 | Length | Weatherproof Network's Share |
|---|---|---|
| Entire Network | 76 600 km | 63 % |
| Medium-voltage Network | 28 300 km | 62 % |
| Low-Voltage Network | 46 500 km | 66 % |