The expansion of the power grid, essential for the energy transition, is gaining momentum. Last year, the Federal Network Agency approved approximately 2,000 kilometers of new high-voltage power transmission lines, often referred to as “energy autobahns.” This represents an increase of roughly 45 percent compared to the previous year (1,280 kilometers approved in 2024), as reported by the agency in response to an inquiry from dpa.
In 2025, approval procedures were finalized for four major direct current (DC) projects: A-Nord, Ultranet, SuedLink, and SuedOstLink. These lines span several federal states and are primarily being laid as underground cables. These high-capacity arteries are primarily designed to transport electricity generated by wind turbines in the north to consumption centers in the south and west of the country.
A Record Year for Grid Project Approvals
Klaus Müller, President of the agency, described the current period as a record year for issuing grid construction permits. He emphasized that the expansion of the transmission network is a mandatory prerequisite for the success of the energy transition. The completion of procedures for the four key energy arteries, he noted, resulted from the acceleration of processes achieved in recent years.
The requirement for expanding the backbone network is currently legally established at approximately 16,800 kilometers. The Federal Network Agency is responsible for approving 9,600 kilometers of these new lines. An agency spokesperson reported that, including the permits issued in 2025, procedures have been fully completed for approximately 4,700 kilometers of lines. The approval of the remaining 7,200 kilometers of new construction falls under the jurisdiction of the individual federal states.
Thousands of Kilometers Already Completed
Of the planned 16,800 kilometers, more than 3,500 kilometers were completed by the end of June 2025, which is 500 kilometers more than the previous year. Three projects—A-Nord, SuedLink, and SuedOstLink—are scheduled for commissioning in 2027, while Ultranet is expected to be operational by the end of 2026.
The extra-high-voltage transmission network currently spans approximately 39,000 kilometers. The distribution network, which includes all lower voltage levels, has a total length of approximately 1.8 million kilometers.
Источник: dpa и AFX
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