The reserve covers 350 MW and can be used during the period 15 January–15 March if a feared power shortage occurs during severe winter cold. For comparison, a normal nuclear power reactor produces approximately 1,100 MW.
Once again, Karlshamnsverket in Blekinge will account for the largest part of the reserve, 330 MW. Mälarenergi's heating plant in Västerås will account for the remaining 20 MW, Svenska kraftnät writes in a press release.
Last fall, the authority failed to procure the electricity reserve because the price was too high.
Model tweaked
Since then, Svenska kraftnät has tweaked the model so that operators get better pay for the first MW they deliver.
"How much the strategic reserve may cost in total and its maximum size for the current period is the same as during the previous procurement: namely 96 million SEK and 800 MW," writes Svenska kraftnät.
The procurement of the electricity reserve applies only to the current winter. In order to sign longer contracts, better calculations are required going forward, something Svenska kraftnät will have to return to later.
If we are going to make a procurement for next winter, it must be based on calculations that apply to next winter, says Eva Vitell, division manager at Svenska kraftnät.
Never used
The electricity reserve should be seen as insurance. It has not been used at all since 2011. Karlshamnsverket, which has served as an electricity reserve previously, has only been put into standby mode a few times, according to Eva Vitell.
This strategic reserve will be especially important in a couple of years when the forecast indicates that consumption will spike. Then I think we will want longer contracts, she says.
As mentioned, Karlshamnsverket has previously played the role of electricity reserve. But shortly after the announcement of the failed procurement last autumn, the owner Uniper decided to mothball one of the power units.
Today's decision means that Uniper is now removing the mothballs.
