ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has successfully commissioned a power link between Finland and Sweden. The HVDC (high voltage direct current) Fenno Skan 2 link is a cable based power transmission system that enables the exchange of an additional 800 MW of power between the two countries, mitigating transmission bottle necks in the region. The Fenno Skan link is owned and operated by Fingrid and Svenska Kraftnät

The installation includes two converter stations, one situated in Rauma, on the Finnish side, and the other in Finnböle, in Sweden. The control system of the original link will also be upgraded. The newly commissioned link will run in parallel with Fenno Skan 1, delivered by ABB in 1989 providing a bipolar link to enhance the capacity for power trading and improve the security of supply in the region. On the Swedish side, the converter stations for Fenno Skan 1 and 2 are located 70 km from each other, due to AC grid constraints. This challenge is overcome with the latest control and communication technologies combined with an innovative circuit solution, which enables an integrated bi pole despite the geographical separation.

Mr Martin Gross, head of the Grid Systems business, a part of ABB's Power Systems division, said that "In addition to enhancing capacity, facilitating power trading and improving security of supply in the region, this link will also help to improve grid reliability."

ABB pioneered HVDC technology more than 50 years ago. With over 70 HVDC projects around the world and a combined transmission capacity of around 60,000 MW, ABB continues to drive innovation and remains a world leader in this technology.