SuedLink in Thuringia: underground power link for wind energy

SuedLink is intended to carry wind power from northern Germany to centres of demand in the south and support a stable, secure electricity supply. For this purpose, TenneT and TransnetBW are planning an underground high-voltage direct current transmission line around 700 kilometres long with a capacity of 4 gigawatts.

The expansion is required because much of the wind power is generated in the north, while the main centres of demand are in the south. The underground link is intended to bridge this geographic separation and strengthen Germany’s transmission grid for the growing share of renewable energy.

In planning section PA6, which runs mainly through Thuringia, KREBS+KIEFER Ingenieure GmbH and spiekermann ingenieure gmbh provide planning services for TransnetBW. Preliminary investigation, route planning and crossing design define the route; the planning of various intermediate stations and development of third-party alternatives support technical delivery.