AFRY has been selected by Swissgrid to provide multidisciplinary engineering services for three substations and associated infrastructure in the Innertkirchen-Ulrichen transmission project. The project will strengthen Switzerland's high-voltage network, support future electricity transmission needs and help transport increasing volumes of renewable electricity from southern Switzerland to other parts of the country.
The 27-kilometre transmission line between Innertkirchen and Ulrichen, which is more than 60 years old, will be renewed and prepared for a future upgrade from 220 kV to 380 kV. The upgrade will increase transmission capacity, support future electricity demand and help ensure the reliable transmission of increasing electricity generation from southern Switzerland to other parts of the country. Approximately 23 kilometres of the route between Innertkirchen and Oberwald will be constructed as underground cable connections.
AFRY will provide engineering services for three substations along the transmission corridor between Innertkirchen and Ulrichen. This scope includes the planning of the new Oberwald substation as well as extensions to the existing Innertkirchen and Handeck substations. In addition, AFRY is providing engineering services for civil works, building infrastructure and a microtunnel associated with the cable transition structure connecting to the Oberwald substation.
The project will be delivered using Building Information Modelling (BIM), supporting Swissgrid's ambition to establish BIM as a standard methodology for grid projects by 2027.
"We are proud to support Swissgrid in this strategically important infrastructure project. Modern and reliable transmission networks are critical to meeting future electricity demand and integrating more renewable energy. Through this assignment, AFRY is helping to strengthen the foundation of Switzerland's future energy system," said Fredrik Persson, VP and Head of Segment Transmission and Distribution at AFRY.
AFRY has worked with Swissgrid since its foundation in 2006 and has successfully delivered numerous substation and transmission line projects across Switzerland. The multidisciplinary nature of the Innertkirchen-Ulrichen project builds on AFRY's extensive experience in transmission infrastructure and complex grid development projects.
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Niels Hornig, Director & Head of Transmission & Distribution in Switzerland and Germany, AFRY
+49 1523 4640251
niels.hornig@afry.com
Josephine Sirander, Communications Manager, Global Energy Division, AFRY
+46 73 034 47 62
josephine.sirander@afry.com