kantaverkko

Kantaverkko is the Finnish term for the national high-voltage electric transmission network that forms the backbone of Finland's electricity system. It carries bulk power over long distances from generation sources to distribution networks and major industrial customers. The network operates primarily at high voltages such as 400 kV and 110 kV, with the 400 kV layer serving as the main transmission backbone.

Management and regulation: In Finland, the kantaverkko is operated and maintained by the transmission system operator Fingrid Oyj. Fingrid coordinates generation, transmission, and balancing to ensure grid stability, reliability, and efficient power flows. The kantaverkko is governed by Finnish electricity market legislation and grid codes, and it is overseen by the Energy Authority (Energiavirasto) as part of the regulatory framework.

Interconnections and role: The kantaverkko is interconnected with neighboring grids, enabling cross-border electricity exchange with Sweden, Norway, and Russia. These interconnections support imports and exports, enhance system balancing, and contribute to energy security for Finland and the wider region.

Relation to other networks: The kantaverkko is distinguished from the distribution network, which distributes electricity to households and local businesses at lower voltages. While the distribution grid handles local delivery, the kantaverkko handles transmission of electricity over long distances and between major nodes in the system.

Importance for energy transition: The high-voltage transmission network is central to integrating renewable energy sources, expanding capacity for new generation, and enabling Lithuania-based cross-border trade in electricity within the Nordic and Baltic regions. Continuous modernization and expansion of the kantaverkko are essential to meet changing demand and generation patterns.