Electricity needs to be moved from where it is produced to where it is needed most. The transmission of renewable energy across borders and over long distances is essential for the green transformation and the electrification of society.

“Energiewende” is Germany’s long-term strategy for transitioning to renewable energy, and the German Corridor projects play an important role in this strategy. The energy transition leads to an increased need for the transmission of electricity from North Germany, where more and more wind power is being generated both on- and offshore, to the South, where nuclear power plants are gradually being phased out. The corridors must ensure that renewable energy can be transported all the way in a safe, reliable and efficient manner.

NKT is providing large parts of the corridors with state-of-the-art power cable systems aimed at efficient and reliable long-distance energy transmission.

The SuedLink project, led by the German TSO TenneT and TransnetBW, is the largest of the corridor projects. It spans about 700 km and consists of two parallel systems with a total length of almost 1,340 km. It connects to the NordLink cable connection in the north and will transmit renewable power to the south via two power cable sections. TenneT and TransnetBW commissioned NKT with the supply and installation of the Western section with a 525 kV XLPE high-voltage DC (direct current) onshore cable system, covering approximately 750 km. When completed, this will be the longest DC underground cable system in the world.

Another key part of the corridor is the SuedOstLink, a project led by German TSO TenneT and 50Hertz. It plays an important role in securing power supplies to the southeast of Germany over the coming decades. The SuedOstLink in total is about 540 km long. NKT was commissioned by TenneT and 50Hertz to supply and install a 525 kV HVDC XLPE underground cable system, covering a route length of approximately 270 km.

NKT is also supporting other parts of projects in Germany such as SuedOstLink+ (SOL+), Ostwind 4, LanWin 6, Korridor-B V48 and the German part of Bornholm Energy Island. High-voltage DC power cables are ideal for efficient, long-distance power transmission with very low losses. By utilising a cross-linked polyethene (XLPE) insulation material for the extruded HVDC cable system, it enables power transmissions at significantly higher voltage levels than previously possible. This means that more renewable power can be efficiently transmitted from the area of generation to the area of consumption.

High-capacity power lines are the backbone of the energy transition. The establishment of the German Corridors is essential for enabling Germany to achieve the goal of climate neutrality by 2045.