Statnett announced on 6 October that it had begun planning a new 420 kilovolt line between Kvandal and Kilbotn in northern Norway. The project is intended to strengthen the network serving Harstad, the Lofoten islands and Vesterålen, where Statnett says requests for new economic activity exceed current grid capacity. The company also plans renewal of Kilbotn substation. This announcement starts a planning phase; it is not a permit or a construction decision.

The 420 kV choice follows a concept study conducted with regional grid companies. Statnett recommends a staged approach and identifies Kvandal–Kilbotn as the first line in the concept. The project page says the line would be designed for 420 kV but initially operated at 132 kV. Design voltage and operating voltage are distinct: the plan does not call for immediate operation at 420 kV.

Statnett says the package recommended in the study could raise capacity in the area by 50%. The company notes that several regional reinforcements are already being built or planned and that further development should track demand. The 50% is an estimate for the recommended package, not capacity already available or an outcome attributable to this line alone. Other bottlenecks between Helgeland and Salten also need attention if additional electricity is to reach the far north.

The region’s consumption has grown by nearly 20% in a few years, according to the project page. Statnett says capacity has been reserved for about 20 industrial and commercial projects expected to connect in coming years, and it also notes defence-related requirements. These figures help explain the planning case but do not guarantee that every project will proceed. The company aims to notify NVE around mid-2027; that is a planning and assessment milestone.

After notification, NVE must consult on the project and set an environmental assessment programme before a full licence application is reviewed. Local authorities, public agencies and affected communities can participate. Statnett says planning will continue with regional network operator Noranett. At publication, no final detailed route, investment cost, construction schedule or commissioning date had been announced. Capacity and demand figures should therefore be read as planning information.

The outcome will depend on environmental assessment, public consultation and licensing. Those steps may alter the design or determine whether the project proceeds. Capacity gains and connection requests should therefore not be presented as final network performance; the current figures describe Statnett’s assessment of demand and proposed measures.