Electricity highway modernized: Bad Pyrmont is preparing for the future!

Electricity highway modernized: Bad Pyrmont is preparing for the future!

Today, September 10, 2025, there is a lot at stake in the Lügde-Rischenau region - in particular the modernization of the electricity highway, which is crucial for future energy supply. In bright weather, while cows graze peacefully in the meadows, it becomes clear how work is being done on one of the longest-lasting projects in the energy sector.

The work on the electricity pylon includes replacing the conductor cable of the 380,000-volt Grohnde-Würgassen line, which stretches an impressive 210 kilometers from Landesbergen to Borken in Hesse. TenneT, one of Germany's four transmission system operators, is entrusted with the maintenance and expansion of these high-voltage lines. Not only are the old porcelain insulators being replaced by modern silicone composite insulators, the general renovation of the line is also in full swing in order to meet the increasing demands on the power grid.

A politicized matter

But the modernization of the electricity highway is not just a technical measure. The federal government has been holding numerous discussions with TenneT since autumn 2022 to advance the purchase of large parts of the German electricity network. The goal? Complete control over grid expansion, which is central to the energy transition. The deal could be completed in the near future and is expected to be carried out through KfW after TenneT took over E.ON Netze in 2010 and is now fully state-owned.

In particular, the expansion of the north-south route is crucial for Germany's climate neutrality by 2045, which estimates the investment requirement over the last ten years at around 100 billion euros. Experts estimate the value of the TenneT business at around 20 to 25 billion euros. A purchase could influence electricity prices, but the impact of nationalization remains uncertain: while investments could potentially increase network charges, pricing does not directly depend on the ownership structure.

The path to the energy transition

Back in Lügde-Rischenau: The construction manager Nico Lo Sasso has everything in view - three phases, each with four conductor cables, are installed on each side of the mast. The replacement of the conductor cables, consisting of a total of 24 pieces, is intended to increase the transmission capacity from 2,600 amps to an impressive 4,000 amps and thus ensure a more reliable energy supply. The work could take around four to six weeks, with the aim of completing the entire network reinforcement by the end of 2030.

The negotiations surrounding TenneT and the expansion of the power grid are an important topic that not only concerns experts, but also affects the general public. With the right commitment and the necessary political pressure, Germany could be well on the way to successfully shaping the energy transition - in the interests of a greener future.

For more information about the network plans and the challenges of expansion, read on Dewezet, daily news and CIO.