September 11, 2023
Source: Energy & Management Powernews
The Federal Network Agency sees a considerable need for expansion in the power grid: 6,200 route kilometers must be newly built, five new direct current projects are required by 2045.
The Federal Network Agency is consulting from 8. September the second draft of the network development plan (NEP) for the expansion of the power grid until 2037 and 2045. "This network development plan shows for the first time, which power grid we need to complete the energy transition," explained Klaus Müller, President of the Federal Network Agency. "We are examining very closely which new lines are required." However, he said, it is already clear that there will need to be a significant additional expansion of the power grid by 2045. Müller: "The path to climate neutrality leads via the grid."
The NEP Electricity describes the so-called climate neutrality grid. This is the extra-high voltage grid with which climate neutrality is to be achieved by 2045. It shows which transmission network it will take to fully convert the energy system to renewable energies.
Additional reinforcement to 6,000 kilometers
The transmission system operators submitted the revised second draft of the network development plan to the Federal Network Agency on June 12, 2023. It includes a total of 6,200 additional route kilometers. Tennet, Transnet BW, Amprion and 50 Hertz primarily envisage five additional direct current links and the construction of numerous new alternating current lines. With further 6,000 route kilometers they plan a reinforcement of already existing lines.
The federal net agency can, as it is called in a communication of the Bonn authority, the need for five new direct current connections and for a large part of the other measures suggested by the transmission system operators understand. Reason are the further strongly rising transport need and the past realizations from the examination of the individual measures.
The revised draft of the NEP lists besides for the planned development of the wind energy on sea further 34 offshore connection systems. From the point of view of the Federal Network Agency, this number will also be necessary to achieve the expansion targets prescribed in the Wind Energy at Sea Act. The transmission system operators have announced that they will implement the projects in a bundled manner among themselves.
Environmental impacts are also examined
In addition to the network development plan, the Federal Network Agency examines the likely environmental impact of the projects and prepares an environmental report for this purpose. In it, it also evaluates and compares alternatives to individual measures. Due to extended legal requirements for the strategic environmental assessment, a separate public and authority participation is planned. This is expected to take place in the course of the fourth quarter of 2023.
The public and public agencies can submit comments on the second draft of the network development plan until November 20, 2023. The Federal Network Agency will accompany the consultation with online information events on October 13 and 17, 2023. The network development plan of the transmission system operators and the preliminary review results of the Federal Network Agency will be available at the Federal Network Agency until October 20, 2023.
The information on the network development plan can also be accessed online.
Author: Günter Drewnitzky
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