Expiratory lines instead of underground cables: billions of savings for Germany!

Expiratory lines instead of underground cables: billions of savings for Germany!

Bremerhaven, Deutschland - A great rethink is imminent: The discussion about the future infrastructure of the power grid in Germany is picking up speed. More and more voices are advocating overhead lines for changing earth cables, which could possibly bring considerable cost advantages. According to Tim Meyerjürgens, CEO of Tennet, this change could achieve savings of at least 20 billion euros. [Nordsee Zeitung] (https://www.nordsee-zeitung.de/nachrichten/strom- through-freifleitstatt-erdkabel--waeren-die-folgen-298191.html) reports that these funds could be cumulative, especially in the new construction projects Ostwestlink, Nordwestlink and Suedwestlink.

The savings would also affect the network charges that would be noticeable for private consumers. A reduction of one cent per kilowatt hour would mean saving around 30 euros for an average two-person household with 3,000 kWh of annual consumption. But not only Tennet, but also other transmission system operators such as TransnetBW and 50hertz are calling for a fundamental change of direction, since the promised acceptance has so far been not possible.

acceptance and civic wishes

Especially in regions where large electricity routes are planned, there are strong citizens' initiatives against the new power lines. However, the need for new transmission lines is clear: In order to transport the wind power from the north to the sweet German metropolitan areas, thousands of kilometers of new infrastructure are necessary. Blackout News emphasizes that the need for expansion is valued by 2045, and therefore investments of around 320 billion euros are necessary, including offshore projects.

energy transition, that is, the transformation of the energy system requires new solutions. While overhead lines have an advantage over the advantage of costs and construction time, there are resistance in some federal states. Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein, for example, continue to prefer earth cables to ensure acceptance among the population.

cost-benefit analysis

overhead lines are not only faster and cheaper to build, they also have a life cycle of over 80 years. Energy Climate Protection also reports that the maintenance measures for overhead lines are relatively simple. In contrast, earth cables, which are usually "invisible", are installed with extensive civil engineering work, which drives the costs up. It is estimated that the costing differences amount to between 10 and 20 million euros per kilometer.

The Federal Network Agency confirms the savings potential by switching to overhead lines and estimates that up to 35.3 billion euros could be saved if the earth cable projects are left behind. But the change could also throw back the planning of existing earth cable projects and lead to further delays.

In the overall polarized mood, in which different federal states represent different views, it remains to be seen which solutions will prevail for the future of the German power grid. Ultimately, there is more on play than just financial aspects: The acceptance and participation of the population are keys to a successful and smooth expansion.