Fingrid did not breach its connection and transmission obligation or the obligation to develop the grid when OL3 was connected to the grid
According to the Energy Authority’s view, the grid operator Fingrid Oyj did not breach its connection, transmission and development obligations when the Olkiluoto 3 nuclear power plant unit was connected to the electrical grid.
According to the decision issued by the Energy Authority on 11 January 2024 regarding the system protection of the Olkiluoto 3 nuclear power plant unit, Fingrid has followed electricity market regulations for obligations concerning connecting to the grid, providing a transmission service and developing the grid.
However, Fingrid acted in breach of electricity market regulations when transferring obligations related to the maintenance of OL3’s operational reliability to Teollisuuden Voima Oyj and when adopting terms and conditions and determination principles for fees without the Energy Authority’s confirmation.
The Energy Authority requires that Fingrid submit the determination principles for fees related to system protection or a proposal for another mechanism for confirmation by 11 April 2024.
The Energy Authority investigated Fingrid’s actions when connecting the OL3 nuclear power plant unit to the main grid based on a request for investigation submitted by Teollisuuden Voima in May 2022. The investigation concerned system protection, which ensures the stability of the electrical system in a situation where the OL3 power plant unit with an exceptional power would suddenly be disconnected from the electrical grid. Protection that automatically disconnects power consumption is required so that the unit can be operated at a power of more than 1,300 megawatts. The subject of the dispute is the distribution of the responsibility for the implementation, maintenance and costs of the arrangement.
System protection is Fingrid’s responsibility
According to the Energy Authority’s decision, system protection, as a particular protection system of the transmission system operator as referred to in the legislation, is under Fingrid’s responsibility. The costs arising from the system protection can be handled through tariffs or other mechanisms, but they must be submitted to the Energy Authority for confirmation before adoption.
As a rule, Fingrid needs to develop the main grid taking into account the needs of those connecting to the grid.
Therefore, abandoning the system protection as a solution linked exclusively to the OL3 nuclear power plant unit should be considered in the long term. However, when assessing the development obligation, the time required for the implementation of the investments must be taken into account. In the Energy Authority’s view, Fingrid has implemented the investments without any unjustified delays.
The decision of the Energy Authority is not yet final.
Further information: Antti Paananen, Deputy Director General, Markets, tel. +358 29 5050 013 and Veli-Pekka Saajo, Deputy Director General, Networks, tel. +358 29 5050 023. E-mail addresses: [email protected].
Decision is Finnish:
