Finland Awards Balticconnector Jobs

Two construction contracts were awarded this week for onshore works on the Balticconnector gas pipeline project that is scheduled to enter service in 2020; contract values were not disclosed.

Balticconnector will be a 150-km bidirectional pipe, of which 80 km subsea, linking Inga in Finland and Paldiski in Estonia. It took its final investment decision October 18, 2016.

Finnish state-owned Baltic Connector Oy and Estonian grid operator Elering are responsible for its construction. Project cost is estimated at about €300mn ($360mn), of which European Union funds will provide 69% (or €206mn), a higher proportion than the EU has granted to most infrastructure projects, signalling the importance it attaches to improving both states' security and diversification of supply.  

Baltic Connector said May 4 that it signed a contract with Louhintahiekka Oy for the construction and installation work of the Siuntio–Inkoo onshore pipeline, on the Finnish section of the project. Work will begin in May 2018, initially with inspections, building of installation roads and rock excavation.

Additionally, Baltic Connector signed a contract May 3 with RTA-yhtiot Oy for the construction work to be carried out at Inkoo compressor station, also in Finland. The contract covers excavation and foundation work as well as construction and engineering. Construction of the compressor station will begin in June 2018 and end autumn 2019.

Historically both Estonia and Finland had relied exclusively on Russian imports for their gas, but now Finland imports LNG directly, while Estonia has access to regasified LNG via its neighbour Lithuania.

The banner photo of the planned subsea pipelay is courtesy of Baltic Connector Oy