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The coast of Greenland (part of the Danish realm) is filled with massive fjords that were created as glaciers receded. Due to the temperate environments compared to the ice fields throughout the rest of the region, nearly 100% of Greenland’s population lives along the coastal fjords. In order to get power, many cities including the capital of Nuuk rely on hydroelectric power that needs to cross massive fjords to get to population centers – the power lines that run across the Ameralik Fjord (called the Ameralik Span) help transport that power from the source to the population in the sparsely-populated country of Greenland.
For another maps on infrastructure in an Atlantic Island chain, see post on the Faroe Island Underwater Tunnels!
See the interactive Google Map at the bottom of the post!
Three key facts about this map
The Ameralik Span is the longest continuously hanging cable in the world
Stretching about 3.3 miles, or 17,500+ feet, the Ameralik Span is the longest span of overhead power lines in the world. The span is made of four separate hanging conductors, one of which is a backup, and stretches from the north end of the Ameralik Fjord and climbs more than 2,000 feet in elevation from to reach the towers on the south end. The minimum clearance (the tough of the span in the middle of the fjord) is about 400 feet above the water.
The Ameralik Span carries hydroelectric energy which is of growing importance in Greenland
Renewable energy sources only account for 20% of total energy used in Greenland (as of 2019); though 95%+ of that renewable energy comes from hydroelectric sources – such as the power generated and transported via the Ameralik Span. The vast majority of energy consumed in Greenland comes from oil, though this is decreasing in importance as technology advances to enable renewable energy sources to be used – such as long-distance power lines.
Other than Greenland, Norway has other top-longest spans in the world
The coast of Norway is very similar to that of Greenland – deep fjords that cut into the coastline. This makes construction of power lines and transportation (roads, trains, etc.) difficult due to the geography. It makes sense then that after the Ameralik Span, the only other country to appear in the top five is Norway:
- Greenland: Ameralik Span – 5376m
- Norway: Sognefjord Span (1, 2 and 3) – 4500m to 4850m
- Norway: Langfjorden Span – 3973m
- Norway: Sunndalsfjorden Span – 3920m
- Greenland: Igaliku Span – 3599m
- Canada: Kootenay Lake Crossing – 3421m
Additional links and sources
- Guinness Book of World Records recording for the Ameralik Span (link)
- Information on the specifics of the span (link, published in 2010)
- Additional sources on long distance power cables (link)
Have you heard of the Ameralik Span before?
See other places around the world Globe Charting has featured!
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