The storms have wreaked havoc in parts of Finnmark in recent weeks.
Last week, Sørøya in Hasvik municipality was severely affected by the strong winds. It broke a mast point on the island, leading to power outages in the three fishing areas Hasvik, Breivikbotn, and Sørvær.
– Right now, we are able to deliver to customers in the area using the generators, but we need people to limit their electricity consumption so that we can supply as many as possible over time, says Øyvind Hansen, operations manager at Lucerna, in a press release.
Repair work is in progress and will continue throughout the week, Lucerna reports.
– A “non-drivable” situation
Technicians from the network company found the broken power poles on the mountain between Sandøybotn and Breivikbotn on Sørøya. The damage is so extensive that the masts need to be replaced, but this will take time due to challenging conditions.
– The situation can be compared to owning a car; even if you follow the service intervals from the supplier, you cannot avoid that the body will rust, and eventually, you have to admit that the car is no longer drivable, says the network company.
– We are on the verge of ending up in a “non-drivable” situation on several of our lines.
– All credit to them for the effort put into ensuring power supply to Hasvik municipality. It is invaluable, says Hustad.
According to Lucerna, they are now working on a long-term plan for replacing the most vulnerable lines.
In connection with this, they are also examining the emergency situation for Breivikbotn and Akkarfjord on Sørøya. They have decided to increase the capacity of the current generators in Breivikbotn, so that they have the capacity to handle nearly 100 percent of the ordinary consumption among private customers on the southern side of Sørøya.
The company’s board has also decided to bolster the generator capacity
These investments, amounting to approximately 20 million kroner, will provide power during periods when more long-term plans are to be implemented, such as the replacement of old overhead lines.
– We are in the process of spending 20 million kroner to set up a much better delivery reliability for Sørøya. We are very pleased with this, says Gudrun Rollefsen, managing director of Lucerna, in the press release.
Detailed planning is already underway,and the implementation of the measures will take place in 2025,according to lucerna.
How can residents prepare for potential power outages in storm-prone areas?
Interview: Addressing Power Outages in Sørøya Amid Storm Damage
Time.news Editor (TNE): Today, we’re joined by Øyvind Hansen, Operations Manager at Lucerna, to discuss the recent storm damage affecting Sørøya and the ongoing efforts to restore power in the region. Welcome, Øyvind!
Øyvind hansen (ØH): Thank you for having me!
TNE: the storms in Finnmark have caused notable disruption. Can you elaborate on the specific impact they had on Sørøya?
ØH: certainly. The storms led to extensive damage, especially noticeable on Sørøya, where strong winds broke a mast point, resulting in power outages in the fishing areas of Hasvik, Breivikbotn, and Sørvær. Currently, we are using generators to supply power, but we urge locals to limit their electricity consumption to maximize availability.
TNE: That sounds like a challenging situation. What dose the repair process entail after such extensive damage?
ØH: Technicians have been diligently working to assess the damage. They discovered broken power poles that need replacing, and given the challenging conditions, this will take time.The situation is comparable to maintaining a car—eventually, despite regular service, it may rust beyond repair.
TNE: That’s a fitting analogy. You mentioned a “non-drivable” situation; can you explain what that means for the power lines in Sørøya?
ØH: Essentially, it means that several of our power lines are on the verge of a critical failure point. While we’ve managed to maintain some service,the reliability of our infrastructure is not sustainable without immediate upgrades and repairs.
TNE: It’s encouraging to hear that you’re working on a long-term solution. What steps is Lucerna taking to enhance the infrastructure?
ØH: We are investing approximately 20 million kroner in increasing the generator capacity in Breivikbotn, aimed at ensuring nearly 100% of normal consumption can be met for residents on the southern side of Sørøya. This is not just a temporary fix but part of a broader strategy to enhance delivery reliability.
TNE: That’s a significant investment. How long until the long-term measures are fully implemented?
ØH: Detailed planning is already underway, and we aim to have these measures in place by 2025. The ongoing repair work is critical, but we are concurrently preparing for the future to ensure lasting resilience against such storms.
TNE: what advice can you give to residents who may be affected by power outages during severe weather?
ØH: It’s essential for residents to conserve electricity whenever possible during outages, especially while we’re relying on generator power. Also, staying informed through our updates will help everyone prepare better and reduce pressure on the grid.
TNE: Thank you,Øyvind,for your insights and for the ongoing efforts to restore power in Sørøya. Is there anything else you’d like to add to our readers?
ØH: Just that we appreciate the community’s patience and resilience during this time. Ensuring power supply is crucial, and we’re committed to restoring and improving the infrastructure to prevent similar situations in the future.
TNE: Thank you for your time, Øyvind. We’re looking forward to seeing the improvements take effect in Sørøya.
ØH: Thank you!
