Germany’s grid expansion needs 500,000km of cables find BDEW and ZVEI

More than 500,000km of cables and 500,000 transformers will be needed by 2045 for Germany’s grid expansion, finds a new analysis from BDEW and ZVEI, Germany’s associations of Energy and Water and electricity and digital industries respectively.

According to the analysis, which was conducted by the University of Wuppertal on behalf of the associations, the immense uptake of new producers and consumers means the grid will require an extensive expansion to avoid supply bottlenecks.

To meet this demand, the country’s grid expansion efforts will require new operating resources, such as high-voltage lines, medium and low-voltage cables and transformers for the various voltage levels by 2045.

The results show that there is a great need for technology not only in the transmission network but also in the distribution networks.

It corresponds to 50 to 80% of the equipment currently installed. This means, for example, a need for more than half a million kilometres of low-voltage cables (including age-related replacement, ‘thicker’ cables and increases in length) as well as around half a million transformers for converting from medium to low voltage.

This number corresponds to almost 80% of the existing stock. A similar picture emerges for transformers converting from high to medium voltage: more than five thousand, almost 70% of the existing stock, must be newly built, upgraded or replaced.

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The high demand is due to various factors, according to the analysis.

On the one hand, many network components have reached the end of their service life and need to be replaced. On the other, the green transformation, increasing electrification and the growing share of renewable energies are putting the power grid under increasing pressure.

To meet these needs, says the two associations, both committed investments and political will are required.

Commenting in a release was Kerstin Andreae, chairwoman of the BDEW Executive Board:

“Planning and approval procedures must be further accelerated for the expansion of the distribution network. In addition, it is necessary to secure skilled workers and the availability of raw materials, for example through a European raw materials bank or strategic raw materials partnerships.

“Ultimately, the success of the network expansion always requires its economic viability for the network operators through an appropriate regulatory framework.”

Added Wolfgang Weber, chairman of the ZVEI Management Board:

“We need a planning-safe framework for manufacturers in which the targets for climate neutrality are seen as set, regardless of current governments. The expansion of the network, including the provision of the required amount of network resources and the operation of the networks, is accompanied by high added value in the individual regions of Germany.

“At the same time, there is an unprecedented increase in demand worldwide and ongoing supply bottlenecks. Clear, consistent decisions are needed here that ensure investment security.”