Bamble

Overview

Bamble is a strategically important industrial municipality in Telemark, anchored by the Rafnes/Frier industrial complex and served by a rapidly expanding 132 kV grid network. LEDE AS and Statnett are investing heavily in new substations and transmission lines to unlock capacity for new industrial establishments at Frier Vest, with three concessions granted in July 2026 alone. The grid queue reflects strong downstream interest, including 250 MW of datacenter demand from BW Velora and 30 MW of battery storage reserved by Stormvind AS, though notable withdrawals by Vianode (180 MW battery) signal some uncertainty in the queue.

Recent Activity

Three concessions were granted in early July 2026: the new Frier transformer station (enabling industrial supply at Frier Vest), and two 132 kV line connections — Frier–Herum and Frier–Rafnes — all filed and approved within days, signalling an accelerated push to energise the Frier Vest industrial area.

Key Substations

Municipality Stance

Bamble appears strongly supportive of energy and industrial development, with multiple concessions actively granted and significant public grid investment underway to facilitate new industrial establishments at Frier Vest.

Outlook

Bamble has a strong industrial heritage and is actively building out grid infrastructure to attract new large-scale consumers. The 250 MW of queued datacenter demand from BW Velora represents a significant near-term opportunity, while the planned 420 kV upgrade from Bamble to Tønsberg will substantially improve long-term transmission capacity. The withdrawal of Vianode's 180 MW battery plans warrants monitoring but does not dampen the overall positive trajectory for industrial and energy project developers.