The transmission system operators can start building a total of 1000 kilometres of lines. In the course of 2023, the German Federal Network Agency had already approved around 600 kilometres of power lines. Construction can also begin for a further 400 kilometres due to statutory acceleration measures.
Klaus Müller, President of the German Federal Network Agency, comments:
"The acceleration is having an effect. In 2023, the number of kilometres of lines inspected has increased significantly. We expect to see even greater progress in the coming years. We want to have completed a significant proportion of our current approval procedures by the end of 2025."
Progress in the approval procedures
By law, around 14,000 kilometres are currently earmarked for the expansion of the electricity grid. The German Federal Network Agency is responsible for reviewing and approving around 7,400 kilometres, while the respective federal states are responsible for the remaining part.
In 2023, the Federal Network Agency defined a route corridor for 200 kilometres as part of the so-called federal sector planning. Federal sector planning can be dispensed with for an additional 700 kilometres due to statutory accelerations. This also applies to future direct current lines. This means that by the end of 2023, around 4,600 kilometres of power lines will be in or prior to a planning approval procedure with the Federal Network Agency. In the subsequent planning approval procedure, the Federal Network Agency will determine the exact route of the lines.
Planning approval has already been completed for around 1,300 kilometres or is no longer required due to legal changes. These lines can therefore be built.
In addition to the completed planning approval procedures, the Federal Network Agency has also authorised the early start of construction on numerous routes through its decisions. Construction sites could therefore be set up on all four direct current corridors.
The Federal Network Agency is planning approvals for a total of around 2,800 kilometres by the end of 2024. By the end of 2025, a total of 4400 kilometres of lines should then be approved.
Further information can be found at bundesnetzagentur.de and netzausbau.de/vorhaben.
Source: German Federal Network Agency
