Construction work disrupts electrical network in Kemi, Finland, affecting local services

In Kemi, Finland, fiber optic construction work has caused significant disruptions in the local electrical network, impacting the operations of the municipal energy and water company, Kenve. Pasi Tainio, a supervisor at Kenve, noted that the number of reported faults has been unusually high, leading to a backlog in their troubleshooting services. Residents have experienced issues such as darkened streetlights, and there have been interruptions to the electricity supply for individual customers.

Currently, streets in Kemi’s Tervaharju and Kivikangas areas remain unlit due to complications arising from fiber optic installation. Tarja Happonen-Angerias, a road supervisor, emphasized that while the city owns the street lighting network, it is Kenve’s responsibility to address these faults. The disruption has hindered routine maintenance on streetlights, resulting in further dark spots throughout the city.

Tainio explained that diagnosing and repairing these issues can be time-consuming, as identifying specific faults often takes longer than expected. He mentioned that the most challenging incident involved damage to the streetlight control system due to excavation work, leading to prolonged darkness in northern Kemi.

In the neighboring city of Tornio, the impact has been less severe regarding street lighting, although some minor disturbances have occurred. Technical Director Markus Kannala recalled a more serious incident a year ago when excavation for fiber optics accidentally damaged a district heating pipe, causing temporary heat distribution interruptions during cold November weather.

Kannala raised concerns about potential hidden electrical issues resulting from fiber optic construction, noting that damage might not surface for years, complicating future fault identification.