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In a new report, Nordic transmission system operators Svenska kraftnät, Energinet, Fingrid and Statnett, have said they are expecting an increase in consumption and have called for more flexibility in the power system to meet increasing demand and a surge in intermittency.
The TSO’s report, Nordic Grid Development Perspective 2025, comes as the Nordic power system is undergoing a radical transformation, say the TSOs, calling for strong TSO cooperation.
According to the TSOs, the Nordic region will see a significant increase in electricity consumption in the coming decades, although it is highly uncertain how much it will be, where it will be placed and how fast it will increase.
Although most of the consumption towards 2035 will be met with wind and solar, they add, its inflexible and intermittent nature cannot always meet seasonal or daily variations in demand.
Thus, there is a need for increasing levels of flexible production capacity, such as from hydro power, nuclear or gas power plants, and flexible consumption, such as in the transport and heating sector or by storing electricity at times of surplus and producing at times of deficit.
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However, states the report, negative residual demand is also expected to increase, which means there will be more hours where the intermittent production more than covers demand, creating low prices and excess power.
This in turn highlights a growing need for demand flexibility from off takes such as hydrogen production with storage opportunities or batteries.
Also in the report, the TSOs say that substantial grid investment will be essential, both nationally and across borders, to connect new customers, transport increasing power flows between regions and to balance short-term variations in power supply and demand.
The TSOs say they are investigating possibilities to use the grid more efficiently and are working together to identify upsides from increasing standardisation on components and technical requirements.
The companies call for active participation from grid customers to ensure flexibility, system balance, stability and efficient use of the power grid.
They also call for a supportive regulatory framework, more efficient permitting process, effective governance and holistic development of electricity production, consumption and infrastructure, which they say will be decisive for a successful energy transition.
