Three Seconds That Make a Difference in Himmeta

As energy demand continues to grow in western Mälardalen, a new power line is taking shape. At the Himmeta substation, the hub of the project, approximately 620 square meters of fire-extinguishing grating from Weland have been installed—an important fire protection solution designed to suppress a potential oil fire.

Kapacitet Västmanland is Vattenfall Eldistribution’s major initiative to strengthen and upgrade the electricity grid in the Mälardalen region. The area is attractive for new industrial investments, and electricity demand is increasing. The planned new 130 kV transmission line will reinforce Mälarenergi Elnät’s existing 40 kV network between Himmeta, Arboga, and Kungsör, with commissioning scheduled for 2027.

Reduced Fire Risk
The existing substation in Himmeta, located just outside Köping, is a key point in the project. A transformer pit is a critical component of the power grid—a recessed area in the ground where the transformer is installed. Its primary purpose is to collect spilled liquids, such as transformer oil, in the event of a leak or equipment failure. By containing the spread of these liquids, the risk of both fire and environmental damage is reduced.

This is where Weland’s fire-extinguishing grating comes into play—a patented solution specifically developed for transformer pits.

Three Seconds
Weland’s fire-extinguishing grating has been designed to rapidly suppress an oil fire. Tests conducted by the Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology demonstrated an extinguishing time of just three seconds.

For Betonggruppen, the project contractor and a subsidiary of Bygg & Schakt in Vingåker, the product was already well known.
– It is a robust and reliable fire protection solution. We have used the grating in a couple of previous projects, and it is easy to install and straightforward to work with from a design and drawing perspective, says Emil Olsson, Project Manager at Betonggruppen.

The delivery included approximately 2,000 meters of fire-extinguishing grating in standard lengths, enabling efficient on-site installation. The product was specifically developed for this type of environment and was complemented with grounding attachments and inspection hatches to ensure safe access for service and maintenance.

In Himmeta, the fire-extinguishing grating now contributes to a safer facility, a more resilient electricity grid in western Mälardalen, and an investment in the future.

Published: 2026-06-05