Norelco's NorUnit power distribution units to supply electricity from the Suvic-installed Lakari solar power plant to the national grid

The local power distribution needs of the the Suvic-installed Lakari solar power plant were resolved with Norelco’s modular NorUnit power distribution units. Norelco has participated in the project ever since the pre-design stage.

The Lakari solar power plant is the result of highly innovative development work. It is the first site to implement the Solar+ solar power plant concept developed by Suvic. The Solar+ technology is being implemented using a turn-key contract model, with special attention paid to the clarity of the specifications for implementation, quality and cost effectiveness. 

The power distribution unit is a key ‘node’ in solar power production. Norelco supplied the Lakari solar power plant with eight NorUnit power distribution units which transmit the electric energy to the main substation of the power plant and further on to the national main grid.

Finland’s biggest industrial-scale solar power plant in Lakari, Rauma, is being commissioned in April 2024. The plant’s estimated production is roughly 32 000 megawatt hours of solar power per year.

“The Norelco team had an intensive approach to the project and a drive to think outside the box when seeking new solutions.”

The Lakari project faced major challenges: the solutions were carefully scrutinised, given the unprecedented scale of the project in Finland. 

“Lakari was practically the first time we designed solutions according to the Solar+ concept, including transformers, switchgear and components as well as the practical implementation and installation techniques for electrification,” says Suvic’s Jari Koppelo. 

Norelco specialists have been involved in the project since the pre-design stage. Close co-operation has been a crucial aspect of the project, because fault-free operation during commercial production is a necessary requirement for the NorUnit power distribution units. In addition to technical functionality and cost-effectiveness, the design accounted for logistical and installation aspects.

“The modular overall solution for the plant electrification designed by Norelco met the project-specific challenges. The Norelco team deserves very good feedback, as they had an intensive approach to the project and a drive to think outside the box when seeking new solutions,” says Koppelo, who is in charge of Suvic Oy’s solar power projects. 

“Our customer kept developing the processes and technological solutions throughout the project, thanks to which we had a unique environment to work in. I would say that we were able to draw on our previous experience and know-how in engineering power distribution systems for solar power parks, while also gaining considerable new insight,” says Juha Hakkarainen from Norelco. 

Flexible solutions for power plants of various sizes: Eight NorUnit power distribution units installed in Lakari 

The solar power plant is expected to generate roughly 32 megawatt hours of solar electricity per year. The Lakari plant does its job with nearly 60,000 solar panels installed over an area of 40 hectares, which equals more than 50 football pitches[TK1]. The solar power plant is designed modularly using four megawatt power blocks. At the core of this solution are the NorUnit power distribution units, which are designed to distribute the power generated from the solar panels to the plant substation and further on to the grid. The Lakari installation consisted of eight NorUnit power distribution units.

The modular block design is a functional and cost-effective solution for solar power plants in terms of construction, continuous production and maintenance.

“Thanks to the modular design, the cable runs between the solar panels and the NorUnit power distribution units are not excessively long, which reduces power losses during production. The technical maintenance of the solar power park can be carried out by disconnecting one block at a time, leaving the others online for electricity production. Using a modular power distribution solution, it is possible to increase the surface area of the solar park unit by unit if necessary,” Hakkarainen explains. 

Fully finished 20-tonne power distribution units from Norelco’s Savonlinna factory to Rauma

The NorUnits delivered to Lakari each consisted of two transformers weighing more than 4,000 kg in 40-feet (approx. 12 m) containers and 24 kV Normax medium voltage switchgear, NorPower 5000 low-voltage switchgear and various auxiliary systems, such as monitoring and reporting automation. The units, which weigh more than 20 tonnes, were designed and manufactured at the Norelco plant in Savonlinna, and then transported to Lakari, in Rauma. 

As the NorUnit power distribution units were delivered installation-ready and all the devices and switchgear cabled and tested, connecting the NorUnit power distribution units to the cabling of the solar power park progressed very effectively.

“Norelco is a reliable player, they design and manufacture their transformer units and switchgear themselves and take responsibility for the quality of their products, which is a major advantage. For us, the solutions offered by Norelco, a Finnish supplier, also meant flexibility, from design to deliveries, and especially the willingness to come up with tailored solutions as the engineering progressed,” says a pleased Koppelo. 

The NorUnit developed by Norelco lends itself as a power distribution unit for solar power plants, electrolysis processes, transformers, charging of electric vehicles and switchgear installations. NorUnit includes a dedicated space for sensitive equipment to enable disturbance-free operation. The dry, dust-free and air-conditioned technical space has efficient LED lighting and offers a safe and pleasant work area. 

More information: 

Suvic Oy, Business Manager Jari Koppelo, +358 44 734 6312 or jko@suvic.fi 

Norelco Oy, Juha Hakkarainen, Sales Manager +358 50 525 5307 or juha.hakkarainen@norelco.fi

Norelco Oy – Effective and proven energy distribution solutions

Norelco, established in 1962, is the leading manufacturer of power distribution systems in Finland. We design and manufacture systems for the energy sector as well as for the needs of industry, renewable energy, infrastructure and construction. We employ around 250 people.  

Suvic Oy – Building the energy of tomorrow

Founded in Oulu in 2017, Suvic is a construction company that operates in the Nordics and specialises in renewable energy construction. Suvic introduces new, innovative engineering, construction and project management practices to the industry.

Lakari power plant in a nutshell 

The Lakari solar power park will start supplying solar electricity in the spring of 2024, claiming the title of Finland’s biggest solar power plant. The power plant consists of nearly 60,000 solar panels with a combined production capacity of 32 megawatts. The power plant will be connected to the 110-kilovolt Satavakka transmission line that passes through the area. The owner and the maintenance responsible party of the Lakari solar power plant is CPC Lakarin Aurinkovoima Oy, a wholly owned subsidiary of CPC Finland.