2/2012 - Fingrid

Asset management dayfocused on occupational safetyFingrid arranged the traditional assetmanagement seminar for its serviceproviders at the end of May. Thistime the seminar concentrated onsafety at work.The topic was covered in a number ofspeeches and in a panel discussion.In recent years, there have been bothsuccesses and failures in occupationalsafety. The number of serious injurieshas decreased, but at the same time theaccident frequency has grown. The primarygoal therefore is to change the attitudesand working culture.In the seminar, Fingrid’s ExecutiveVice President Kari Kuusela describedthe company’s extensive constructionprogramme. The year 2011 was arecord year in the number of personworkyearsalone: a total of 625 personworkyearswere performed at Fingrid’swork sites, while the normal figure isabout 500. There were as many as 160people working at the Forssa reservepower plant. Some of the increase in thenumber of accidents is explained by thehigher amount of work, but despite thisthe goal must be to reach zero accidents.In the asset management seminar,awards were presented to the builderof the year and to the maintenanceperson of the year. These are serviceproviders’ representatives who haveexcelled themselves. The builder of theyear award was given to Infratek’s KariLikander, who served as the projectmanager for the Uusnivala, Tuovila andHuutokoski 400 kilovolt substation projectsin 2011. Kari Likander’s efforts insubstation projects are characterised bythorough and detailed technical knowledgeand expertise, also as regards installationwork and switching planning.The maintenance person of the yearaward went to Empower’s Juha Laukkola,who is responsible for Fingrid’stransmission line maintenance in Westernand South-Western Finland. JuhaLaukkola was credited for improvingthe quality of maintenance service. Hiscontribution has been flexible, and thework has been completed well evenwith a short notice. The developmentproposals presented by Fingrid havebeen received positively, and they havebeen put into practice.Photographs by Juhani EskelinenElering and Litgridbecome Nord PoolSpot shareholdersThe Estonian and Lithuanian electricitytransmission system operatorsElering and Litgrid each acquired a 2per cent share of Nord Pool Spot, Europe’slargest power market, at thebeginning of August.In addition, it has been agreed that theright of the Latvian TSO, AugstspriegumaTkls (AST), to acquire a 2 percent share of Nord Pool Spot will begranted when the new Latvian powermarket opens.Once all three Baltic TSOs are establishedas shareholders, existing shareholdersStatnett and Svenska Kraftnätwill each hold 28.2 per cent of NordPool Spot, and Energinet.dk and Fingridwill both hold 18.8 per cent.The four Nordic TSOs see the extensionof ownership to the Baltic TSOs asan important and natural step in thefurther integration of the Baltic andNordic electricity markets.For the Baltic TSOs, part ownershipof Nord Pool Spot is a strategic investment.It will enable their participationin the decision-making process, ensuringthat the market interests of therespective Baltic countries are discussedand accommodated. It also allows theBaltic TSOs to contribute to Nord PoolSpot’s corporate activities in developingthe regional and European power markets.Meanwhile Nils Nygren has been appointedthe new chairman of Nord PoolSpot, effective from the same date. MrNygren was previously responsible forpublic affairs at the Nordic energy businessFortum and now works as a privateconsultant.Juha Laukkola and Kari Likander emphasised the importance of teamwork intheir speeches.FINGRID 2/2012 | 13