It was supposed to be one of the big steps towards a stronger and greener electricity grid on Lolland-Falster and South Zealand. An upgrade of the high-voltage grid, which should ensure that both new solar and wind farms, battery plants and companies can get power in and out of the system when they need it. But now the project has not only become significantly more expensive. It has also been pushed back several years into the future, writes FemernBusiness.
Energinet's project for the area, 132 kV Lolland and South Zealand phase 3+4, is now set to cost 1,163 million kroner. When the project was approved in 2022, the price tag was 494 million. This is an increase of 669 million kroner. At the same time, the schedule has been pushed back drastically: The Orehoved–Vordingborg Nord section will not be ready until June 2028, and the Nørre Radsted–Rødby connection will be moved from May 2026 to December 2029. Minister of Energy Lars Aagaard (M) has informed the Danish Parliament's Climate, Energy and Utilities Committee about this.
The two new connections are the backbone of the upgrade that will enable the high-voltage grid in South Zealand and Lolland-Falster to be able to carry far more electricity than today. According to the minister, the explanation for the collapse of the schedule is primarily the authorities' changed practice for environmental assessments.
On the price side, the minister points to two clues that together explain the doubling. Firstly, the market has become significantly more expensive. Cables, transformers and excavation contracts cost significantly more than in 2022, and when the construction period is extended, the costs of construction interest will increase accordingly. In part, the project has grown in scope along the way in order to be able to handle a larger future electricity demand in the region.
- I think it is deeply regrettable. The delay affects the green transition, which we are otherwise well underway with, and it is really a shame for the area, says Rural and Business Spokesperson for the Moderates Charlotte Bagge.
- There is probably not much that can be done about the fact that it will be more expensive, but the delay annoys me, and we have to see if we can do something about the case processing times, she says.
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