Statnett: Supporting the expansion of Norway’s electricity grid

Fully electrifying Norway requires a rapid and massive expansion of the electrical grid. The establishment of new and profitable businesses is dependent on increased grid capacity and significant growth in power generation in the years to come. Furthermore, with many existing businesses planning to electrify and decarbonise, and electric vehicles comprising 80% of new cars sold in Norway the energy system will have to undergo massive changes in the years to come. According to Statnett, Norway’s power consumption is expected to increase by 57% by 2050.

In 2023, Ramboll won several framework agreements with Statnett, which is responsible for the Norwegian electrical grid. Since then, Ramboll has been assisting Statnett in increasing the capacity of the electrical grid by providing design and owner’s engineering services for Statnett’s projects.

Leading the engineering and preparatory work for a new substation at Hårstad

Statnett is preparing for the construction of a new substation at Hårstad in the Sunndal area that will replace the aging facility at Aura. The project is currently in the planning phase, with Ramboll leading the engineering and preparatory work. Key milestones include securing permits, mapping the terrain, and working with landowners to lay the groundwork for construction.

Early and open dialogue with landowners has been especially important, considering the natural landscape and the people who call this region home. Public meetings, and close discussions with the Sunndal municipality have also generated valuable insights. These conversations and meetings not only refined some of the project’s technical aspects but also addressed community concerns, supporting a development that moves forward with understanding and respect for people and nature.

Ramboll carried out the preparations, sent personal invitations to landowners, and placed announcements in local newspapers. Other practical steps included training the project team in stakeholder communication and collaborating with the municipality to ensure the path forward is built on trust and cooperation.

Building trust

The excellent collaboration between Ramboll and Statnett has been essential to relieve pressure on Statnett’s internal technical resources while also strengthened the quality and robustness of technical solutions. The collaborative approach enabled joint development of solutions, with both parties actively contributing and complementing each other.

A key success factor in the early phase of the project was a thorough kick-off workshop with in-person participation from key personnel from both Statnett and Ramboll. The full-day workshop facilitated a shared understanding of the project’s challenges, framework, and objectives, and established a common level of ambition. This created a strong foundation for the subsequent project work.

The in-person session also helped build relationships and trust between the participants. Getting to know each other early in the project strengthened the sense of working as one team and created favorable conditions for effective dialogue, rapid clarification of issues, and efficient collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.

The new Hårstad substation will strengthen regional grid reliability and enable increased power consumption to support industrial growth and electrification initiatives in the area. Construction is expected to begin in 2028, with completion scheduled by 2030.

Preparing the electricity grid near Oslo to meet future demand

Not far away from Norway’s capital Oslo, in the rolling landscapes of Ringerike, the electricity grid is also being prepared to meet future demand. As power needs rise, driven by emerging industries, data centres, and ambitious climate goals, Statnett is planning a new substation in the region.

A global high-voltage team of Ramboll experts sitting in Poland and Norway are designing the new substation outside of Ringerike. They have carried out a comprehensive package of engineering work designed to take the project from concept to investment readiness. This has included pipeline and route design, careful planning of land acquisition, and close coordination with the municipality, county governor, and county authorities to ensure regulatory alignment.

Ramboll has also conducted geotechnical ground surveys to understand the terrain, prepared environmental and road plans, and developed detailed water and sewer drawings, site layouts, and balance calculations. Early cost estimates have also been produced to provide a solid financial foundation. Based on the knowledge gained, Ramboll created an interactive, web-based GIS portal, allowing the project team, neighbours, and other stakeholders to visualise routes, understand impacts, and engage with the design in a clear and accessible way.

Every element of this work has been focused on building a strong, transparent basis for decision-making regarding the next project phases.