So far, the Folloban has cost taxpayers more than 37 billion.
The project had short-lived success.
Trains ran on the track for seven days before everything was closed. Serious errors in a new power system led to the development of smoke in several places.
They chose a power system that had not been used before. Why it was chosen, no one will answer.
Bane Nor is now replacing the power system.
– The reason why we are now switching to the traditional solution is that we must be completely confident in what we are doing and achieve a solution that is good, writes Bane Nor to TV 2.
Why choose a new system?
Recently, TV 2 has asked Bane Nor a number of questions about why they initially chose to go for a new power system.
It would prove to be difficult to get an answer to.
Bane Nor states that the new power system, which was originally chosen for the Follobanen, has been approved in Norway, and says that the Italian/Spanish general contractor AGJV must respond to why.
It is AGJV that has chosen the electricity solutions for Follobanen. But in the end it was Bane Nor that approved the solutions AGJV chose.
Empty barracks
The company AGJV is listed with an address at a construction site connected to the Follobanen at Klemetsrud, south of Oslo.
TV 2 made the trip here, in the hope of getting a clearer answer why this particular solution was chosen for electricity on the Follobanen.
What meets us on this January day are some carpenters, in the process of demolishing the barracks the company has been housed in.
LAND: At Klemetsrud, workers are now working on rigging down these accommodation barracks for AGJV. Photo: Tommy Storhaug / TV 2
Some subordinates on site inform us that we must go to Bispegata in the center of Oslo to reach AGJV spokespersons. Bane Nor’s administration for the Follobane project is also located in the same offices.
Several barracks are demolished
In Bispegata, there is also no one from AGJV on the day TV 2 visits, but we get hold of the company by email.
After several questions about why this power system was chosen, we receive a written comment by email.
STILLE: The offices in Bispegata are also about to be demolished. Photo: Tommy Storhaug / TV 2
– Bane Nor is a client in this project, which is complex and has many people involved. We cannot go into the details. We look forward to an external investigation and the answers it provides. The focus is on fixing the problem, the company writes.
By email, we have asked about:
– Why did you choose these solutions for electricity?
– Was it a cheaper power system?
– Why would you want a new power system on the Follobanen?
The questions have not been answered by AGJV. TV 2 has asked Bane Nor about the can ask AGJV to answer the questions.
Like the office barracks on Klemetsrud, the barracks in Bispegata are also in the process of being removed.
– Does not go well with details
In Bispegata, however, TV 2 gets hold of someone in the administration of the Follobane project, at Bane Nor. Again, we ask the question of what was the argument for choosing this solution for return flow.
The answer comes via email a few hours later:
– At the present time, it does not suit either Bane NOR or the contractors to give more details about system selection etc., writes Kathrine Kielland, communications manager for the Follobane project at Bane Nor.
20,879 hours of delays: – A quiet anger
– When the time is right
TV 2 has asked Bane Nor if there are any arguments in favor of choosing a new system.
– What are the positive arguments for using this new, “unique” way of handling electricity?
– When it is grounded at both ends, it becomes easier to control voltages in general. Grounding at both ends is practice in general energy supply. There is also a solution that is being built on railways down in Europe, informs press contact Hilde Marie Bråten at Bane Nor.
– Are there other positive arguments for the new return flow system beyond what you mention?
– There are several advantages, but we will have to come back to them when the Follobanen has reopened and our professionals, who are fully charged with getting the Follobanen up and running again, can put it into words, because we are talking electrotechnical theory here, Bråten replies.
– Are these arguments the answer to why this power system was chosen?
– It is right that the general contractor responds to this when the time is right.
– Are there any economic arguments for choosing the new return flow system
– It is right that the general contractor responds to this when the time is right.
