Westnetz renews high-voltage cable – Ebertstrasse closed from Wednesday!

Westnetz renews high-voltage cable – Ebertstrasse closed from Wednesday!

The infrastructure is once again taking root in Oberhausen, and has been doing so since 1962: Westnetz is starting to renew the high-voltage cable connection between the Oberhausen Mitte substation and the Lirich substation. This is part of a comprehensive modernization plan designed to ensure long-term security of supply in the region. According to lokalklick.eu, civil engineering work on Ebertstrasse will begin on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, for which empty pipes for the new cables will be laid.

The southbound roadway and sidewalk will be closed during construction. Traffic will be redirected from the Hansastraße intersection, with the underpass remaining accessible in a northerly direction and the sidewalk on this side can still be used. The unilateral closure is expected to last five weeks, which could pose challenges for residents and commuters.

Sustainable network optimization

The full measure is part of a larger project that began in July 2024 and will last approximately 18 months. In the first step, the over 60-year-old high-voltage cable is dismantled before the new cables are inserted into the freshly laid empty conduits. The civil engineering work along Danziger Strasse, Tannenbergstrasse and Ebertstrasse, which was completed in 2024, forms an important basis for the following steps. In addition, civil engineering work has been carried out along Buschhausener Straße to the Oberhausen Lirich substation since January 2025.

The city of Oberhausen has set itself the goal of carrying out the construction projects in a coordinated manner in order to keep the restrictions for citizens as low as possible. Westnetz provides support and plans the various construction phases accordingly.

Challenges of the energy transition

The modernization of high-voltage cables is not just a local matter, but is in the context of the larger challenges of the energy transition in Germany. As the Bundesnetzagentur explains, ensuring security of supply is closely linked to various aspects of the infrastructure, such as sufficient generation capacity and stable control mechanisms.

Current work in Oberhausen highlights the need to modernize older infrastructure to meet increasing demands. The balance between generation and consumption as well as securing the networks against external interventions are essential so that a reliable flow of electricity can continue to be achieved in the future.

Indeed, the region is now facing an exciting period of transformation as old structures are replaced by new ones, not only meeting current needs but also preparing for the challenges of the future.

Westnetz's measures are more than just construction work - they are an important step in making Oberhausen fit for the coming years.