Federal Network Agency

10/20/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/20/2023 03:52

BUNDESNETZAGENTUR PROVISIONALLY APPROVES EARLY START TO CONSTRUCTION OF A-NORD POWER LINE

BUNDESNETZAGENTUR PROVISIONALLY APPROVES EARLY START TO CONSTRUCTION OF A-NORD POWER LINE

Year of issue2023
Date of issue2023.10.20

The Bundesnetzagentur has approved an early start to construction in four areas of the planned A-Nord power line.

"Our highest priority is a secure, stable and affordable power supply. For this reason we are accelerating the expansion of the electricity grid wherever possible. This also means that Amprion may begin with construction early in several areas," said Klaus Müller, President of the Bundesnetzagentur.

CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN IN VARIOUS AREAS

In Haren (Ems) construction work to pass under the Wierescher Straße may begin. In Meppen, some of the planned projects south of Heinrichstraße to Overbergstraße and beyond between Schöninghsdorfer Straße and Heidkampstraße can provisionally begin. Construction work is approved in Wietmarschen north of the municipal boundary to Nordhorn up to the street Kortenberken. The construction work that has been approved totals around 6,000 metres. The approval also covers the BorWin4 and DolWin4 offshore grid connections since the projects run directly parallel to one another.

The approval to start construction early applies to the building of a cable protection tube system and all the necessary measures to build it. This includes work to clear the way for the cables, digging the cable trenches, drilling as needed, laying the cables inside the cable protection tube system and installing the connecting points and the necessary preparatory measures.

The Bundesnetzagentur approved land-clearing work in the Emden Ost to the Leer/Emsland county line section.

The approved construction work is reversible. The land can be restored to its original state if a different decision is made in the current planning approval procedure. Amprion must have planning approval by way of a planning approval decision before it can proceed with any further construction. Approval is expected in 2024.

LEGISLATORS ALLOW EARLY START TO CONSTRUCTION FOR RAPID GRID EXPANSION

The approval to start construction work early allows the project promoter to commence the above construction work before the planning approval decision is final. This is particularly necessary where highly complex and lengthy construction work is involved. In October 2022 legislators amended the rules on beginning construction early so that the planning approval authority can decide early to accelerate important network expansion projects.

A-NORD

The A-Nord project will transport electricity that is generated by renewable energy from Emden into the Rhineland as from 2027. There it will be possible to connect to the Osterath-Philippsburg (Ultranet) project. The Bundesnetzagentur is the licensing authority for the entire A-Nord project as well as for the BorWin4 and DolWin4 projects between Emden and Wietmarschen/Geeste.

Further information is available (in German) at www.netzausbau.de/vorhaben1 (A-Nord), www.netzausbau.de/vorhaben78 (DolWin4) and www.netzausbau.de/vorhaben79 (BorWin4).