Soela Strait Submarine Cable
Island LinkOperationalEE35 kV6 km2025
Also known as:Soela väina kaabel, Soela väina 35 kV merikaabel, Pammana–Emmaste 35 kV kaabelliin, Pammana–Emmaste kaabelliin
Status:Operational
Project Company:
Elektrilevi AS
Type:island link
Website:elektrilevi.ee
The Soela Strait (Hiiumaa–Saaremaa) submarine cable is a medium-voltage 35 kV submarine cable link that connects distribution points between Pammana (Saaremaa) and Emmaste (Hiiumaa) to secure electricity supply to Hiiumaa. The asset comprises multiple older 35 kV oil‑impregnated paper‑insulated cables (installed in 1974 and 1982) plus a 2009 cable; due...
Supply Chain (3)
Project Timeline (12)
11 Dec 2025System TestingStale
Elektrilevi plans to complete technical commission inspection, testing and commissioning of the new 6 km 35 kV submarine cable in the Soela Strait—culminating in the cable being successfully energised and the project finalised—by 11 December 2025, after which the Hiiumaa–Saaremaa connection will be secured by two modern submarine cables and provide increased capacity for consumption and local generation on Hiiumaa.
11 Dec 2025Decommissioning CompleteStale
Elektrilevi plans to complete decommissioning of the two old 35 kV oil‑impregnated submarine cables between Saaremaa (Pammana) and Hiiumaa (Emmaste) in the Soela Strait, including dismantling, disposal and restoration works, with overall project finalisation scheduled for 11 December 2025, after which only the new and 2009 submarine cables will remain in operation on this route.
17 Sept 2025Financial Other
On 17 September 2025, Elektrilevi announced that the replacement of the Hiiumaa–Saaremaa 35 kV submarine cable in the Soela Strait between the Pammana and Emmaste distribution points will involve a total investment of €7.3 million, following more than three years of preparatory work to secure Hiiumaa’s electricity supply with a higher-capacity cable.
€7.3M
17 Sept 2025Cable Supplier Selected
Elektrilevi selected Prysmian’s cable factory in Finland to manufacture a new six‑kilometre, higher‑capacity 35 kV submarine cable as a single continuous piece without joints for the electricity connection between Pammana (Saaremaa) and Emmaste (Hiiumaa) across the Soela Strait.
17 Sept 2025Procurement Other
Elektrilevi appointed Connecto Infra AS as its procurement partner, with Swedish subcontractor Baltic Offshore Kalmar AB, to carry out the replacement works for the Hiiumaa–Saaremaa 35 kV Soela Strait submarine cable, following over three years of preparatory design, procurement and permitting activities.
Sept 2025Offshore Construction Start
In September 2025, Elektrilevi began the physical replacement works for the Hiiumaa–Saaremaa submarine cable in the Soela Strait between the Pammana and Emmaste distribution points, starting with dismantling and removal of the first obsolete 35 kV oil-impregnated cable as part of a €7.3 million project to install a new, higher-capacity 35 kV submarine cable.
2025Commercial Operations Full PowerStale
Elektrilevi plans to commission a new higher-capacity 35 kV submarine power cable in the Soela Strait between the Pammana (Saaremaa) and Emmaste (Hiiumaa) distribution points, replacing two obsolete oil-impregnated paper-insulated cables from 1974 and 1982. The replacement project began in September 2025 and includes a defined installation sequence culminating in successful commissioning of the new cable and full project finalisation by 11 December 2025, after which Hiiumaa’s electricity connection will be secured by two submarine cables and allow additional local generation to connect to the grid.
3 Jun 2024Planning Consent Awarded
Authority: Tarbijakaitse ja Tehnilise Järelevalve Amet (TTJA) · Licence: Hoonestusluba (development/building right) for Soela Strait submarine cable replacement and existing cable 35K59
On 3 June 2024, the Tarbijakaitse ja Tehnilise Järelevalve Amet (TTJA) issued a hoonestusluba to Elektrilevi OÜ, granting development consent to replace the existing amortised 35 kV submarine cable 35K56 between the Pammana and Emmaste separation points in the Soela Strait with a new cable L35056K along the same route, and to regularise rights over the existing 35K59 cable.
2009Cable Installation Complete
In addition to the two older 35 kV oil-filled cables from 1974 and 1982, a further 35 kV submarine cable was installed on the Hiiumaa–Saaremaa connection in 2009, providing a more modern parallel circuit across the Soela Strait between Pammana and Emmaste.
1982Cable Installation Complete
A second oil-impregnated, paper-insulated 35 kV submarine cable on the Hiiumaa–Saaremaa route between Pammana and Emmaste in the Soela Strait was installed in 1982, supplementing the original 1974 cable in providing the island interconnection.