Visual effects of new transmission systems weigh heavily, and Landsnet is aware of the importance of eco-friendly solutions. Over the past few years there has been a debate in Iceland, as well as its neighbouring countries, of replacing power lines with underground cables, to minimize the visual effects of the transmission systems.
High voltage lines that exceed a voltage of 100 kV are usually constructed as overhead lines, with mostly reversible environmental effects since the effects are primarily visual. Lines and towers can be removed, while the same does not apply to underground cables with more than a 100 kV voltage. The environmental effect of laying down underground cables is permanent, since one has to forge a wide path for both the cable and a pathway along the whole transport route. It is also worth to mention that underground cables restrict the usage of land in the area more than overhead lines, not to mention the difference in cost.
Southwest lines