Planning criteria

Planning of extra-high-voltage overhead power lines is subject to strict criteria. In the interest of a solution amenable to all parties, 50Hertz Transmission GmbH looks to establish contact with municipalities, public authorities, citizens and associations and welcomes a constructive dialogue.

A responsible approach to people and nature             

Additional laws and regulations guarantee the protection of people and nature. For example, they stipulate the maximum permissible values for electromagnetic and electric fields, or specify how the European Union Flora Fauna Habitat Directive is to be applied, and which measures may be carried out in nature conservation areas and to what extent. Generally, the responsible protection of people and nature during grid-extension projects is of high priority to 50Hertz.

Dialogue with stakeholders

A 380-kV extra-high voltage overhead line will inevitably affect the space in which it is built. It is up to the transmission system operator to keep these effects to a minimum. In the interest of a solution amenable to all parties, 50Hertz looks to establish contact with municipalities, public authorities, citizens and associations, and welcomes a constructive dialogue.

The principles of grid planning 

The "principles for the planning of the German transmission grid" are listed in the joint document of the German transmission system operators (TSOs) to establish future- and demand-oriented system concepts for secure and efficient system operation within the national and European legal framework and under the obligations of the European joint operation.

In the first publication of the planning principles in 2012, the TSOs transparently and comprehensively explained the technical and economic principles of the grid extension plan as a combination of grid optimisation, grid reinforcement and grid extension. With this transparency, the TSOs aim for greater acceptance of the grid extension, which is particularly necessary in view of the energy transition.

Since then, the conditions for grid planning have changed in various respects. On one hand, methods have been developed further based on the requirements of the TSO’s joint grid development plan, the conditions of the European and national regulatory framework as well as relevant regulations – amongst others. On the other hand, there is a need to integrate current technical and technological evolutions in the planning principles. The TSOs have therefore revised and expanded the joint planning principles, which were last published in April 2015.

The TSOs will also continuously review the planning principles in the following years and adapt them when necessary.

Principles of grid planning of the German transmission system operators (PDF, German)