380-kV overhead line Güstrow – Parchim Süd – Perleberg

The urgent need for the project was determined both in the 2014 grid development plan (GDP) as confirmed by the Federal Network Agency and in the 2015 GDP. The project listed as P34 in the GDP was also included in the grid expansion measures approved by the Federal Network Agency. The new construction that will replace the Güstrow - Parchim Süd - Perleberg line is part of the overall project, which should serve to increase the transfer capacity from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania to Saxony-Anhalt. The overall project includes the upgrade of the current line between Güstrow and Wolmirstedt from 220 kV to 380 kV.

More information on the 380 kV overhead line Perleberg-Wolmirstedt

The reason for this grid reinforcement is the increasing production by the RES installations in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Brandenburg. This mainly concerns wind energy. The need for transmission to the consumption centres in the south of Germany increases accordingly. The line sections of 90 km in length between Güstrow in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Perleberg in Brandenburg have been in use for over 65 years. The transfer capacity of this 220-kV line no longer suffices for the transmission of the growing volumes of electricity. That is why 50Hertz is planning to increase the transfer capacity of the existing line from 220 kV to 380 kV. 50Hertz first tested whether the existing line could be optimised or reinforced. For the existing line between Güstrow and Perleberg, this is not an option. That is why the line has to be completely reconstructed. 50Hertz nevertheless tries to use the open space for the old line wherever possible. This means that the more powerful line can run along the same corridor with few deviations from the current one. In the scope of the construction measures, the 220-kV line is first disassembled, after which a new 380-kV line is constructed, so that there will still be only a single line along the route. With regard to fragile natural environments, conservation and residential areas, 50Hertz is checking whether minor optimisations to the current route are possible in the scope of the planning approval proceedings.

The legal basis for the grid reinforcement is created by §43 of the Energy Act (EnWG). The planned line connects the substations in Güstrow and Parchim Süd in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania to Perleberg in Brandenburg. That is why 50Hertz applied for a planning approval decision for three sections:

State: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Length of the line section: about 50 km

Line route

The existing 220-kV line runs west of the Dobbertiner See through the districts of Ludwiglust-Parchim and Rostock in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. It crosses the towns of Gutow, Klein Upahl, Dobbertin, Granzin and others.

Authorisation procedure 

The competent authority for the approval procedure is the Ministry of Energy, Infrastructure and State Development, Department of State Development in Schwerin.

In September 2014, the Ministry of Energy, Infrastructure and State Development in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania granted an exemption from the regional planning procedure for the line section between Güstrow and Parchim Süd.

On 12 March 2015, the scoping meeting for the section between substations Güstrow and Parchim Süd gave the starting shot for route planning.

On 1 July 2020 50Hertz is submitted the application documents for the planning approval procedure at the ministry.

State: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Length of the line section: about 22 km

Line route

To the south-east of Parchim, the line runs west of the Ruhn Hills and through the town of Brunov. It continues through the district of Prignitz and crosses the A24 motorway near Pohnitz. The further course of the line takes it through Jarchow, Malow, Tessenow, Zachow and Neuburg.

Authorisation procedure

The competent authority for the approval procedure is the Ministry of Energy, Infrastructure and State Development, Department of State Development in Schwerin.

The survey scope for the route planning of the section is determined by the competent authority after the scoping meeting on 19 January 2016.

The exemption from regional planning for the section between Parchim and the state border was granted by the Ministry of Energy, Infrastructure and State Development in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in September 2015.

In February 2019 50Hertz submitted the application documents for the planning approval procedures at the ministry. After the formal hearing phase the public hearing took place on  3 and 4 December 2019 in Parchim.

State: Brandenburg
Length of the line section: about 18 km

Line route

The existing line crosses the towns of Karstädt and Berge. Just before Perleberg, the line crosses the B 189 federal Highway.

Authorisation procedure

In Brandenburg, the planning approval proceedings are the responsibility of the State Office for Mining, Geology and Raw Materials (LBGR) in Cottbus.

For the subsection in Brandenburg, the LBGR granted a regional planning exemption. In this case, the course of the new overhead line with its voltage of 380 kV also follows the existing 220 kV overhead line.

The scope of survey and the number of required documents was determined by the LBGR after the scoping meeting on 15 December 2015.

50Hertz submitted the application documents for the planning approval procedures in February 2019.