Ramboll wins £117M Norwegian power grid expansion contracts

Norway’s power consumption is set to increase by more than 50% by 2050 as decarbonisation measures increase electricity demand, with annual increases in some regions of 5-10% already having taken place since 2018.

The Denmark-headquartered multinational landed three lots on Statnett’s upgrade programme worth almost NOK 200M (£14.7M) per year for the next four years, with an option of another four years’ extension.

Some 200 people from Ramboll will be working on the contract full time.

Their work will include assisting Statnett in increasing the capacity of the electrical grid by providing design and engineering services, as well as carrying out measures to reduce the lead times for bringing new connections onto the grid.

Ramboll managing director in Norway Ole-Petter Thunes said: “We won the framework agreement thanks to our comprehensive experience and competences in power systems, as well as the solutions and price offered.

“A contract with a potential value of NOK 1.6BN is huge for Ramboll in Norway. We will draw on our capabilities across our global organisation and use this as an opportunity to further build up our energy business in Norway and contribute to a more sustainable energy system.”

Ramboll vice director for energy systems John Ammentorp added that the company was “thrilled” with the win.

Last month the International Energy Agency warned that efforts to tackle climate change are at risk worldwide unless policymakers take action to improve and expand grids, with power networks failing to keep pace with the rapid growth of clean energy.

In Norway, pressure is being driven by decarbonisation efforts – which include the fact that 80% of new cars sold in the country are now electric.

Statnett plans to invest NOK60–100bn (£4.4bn–£7.3bn) in the decade to 2030, with similar investment likely to continue afterwards.

It aims to have all major cities and regions with high levels of activity to be connected to a 420kv grid by 2040, with four regions – including Greater Oslo – connected at that level by 2035.

In September UK prime minister Rishi Sunak pledged a new “spatial plan” for grid infrastructure to boost connectivity in order to increase certainty for energy firms in the country.

He said it was “unacceptable” that billions are being invested in new energy projects but “we don’t have the grid infrastructure to bring that power to households and businesses”.

Like what you've read? To receive New Civil Engineer's daily and weekly newsletters click here.