Proposed Construction of Multiple Power Substations throughout Schleswig-Holstein
(Get the Juice Flowing: Schleswig-Holstein's Planned Substation Boom)
It ain't pretty, but it's vital: Substations are the power plants of our power grid – much like highway interchanges are to road networks. Big ones? You'll find them where high-voltage lines split up. The power goes from 380,000 volts to 110,000 volts here, then branches out to homes at a mere 230 volts.
However, harnessing energy from wind turbines or solar panels means collecting and stepping up the juice once more, where it's then bundled and sent to the next level network. You guessed it – substations come back into play. Essential for our power supply, they're a lifeblood for our green energy future.
The Energy Transition Boost
We're saying goodbye to power stations in our backyards. Indeed, in the past, power was mostly produced where it was consumed – big cities had their coal or gas plants nearby. But renewable energy? It's all about the coastal regions of Schleswig-Holstein, where the wind howls wildly.
So, with our renewable energy generation expanding, the network's gotta follow suit. TenneT, the transmission grid operator, currently runs 22 substations in Schleswig-Holstein. You betcha, that number's gonna double in the coming years. And SH Netz, the regional grid operator, plans to build 30 new substations by 2028 – most of them smaller stations, about half a hectare big.
The Big Kahuna of Network Hubs
Check out Sahms in the Herzogtum Lauenburg district. It's the site of a planned substation that'll cover an astounding 40 hectares – that's about 56 soccer fields worth of power grid! TenneT's planning on submitting the building application this month, with construction kicking off in 2026.
Sahms doesn't have much of a choice in the matter. TenneT's got the legal card up its sleeve, with the new Elbe-Lübeck line being a necessity. Mayor Helmut Brüggmann (Free Electoral Community Schwarzenbek) confirms his attendance at all information events, but has little say in the matter.
From Planning to Construction
Like Sahms, many Schleswig-Holstein villages find themselves facing the same dilemma. Once a location's chosen, it's tough to nix the construction plans. TenneT shares what factors influence their decision-making: technical requirements, environmental aspects, and community interests must all be balanced as effectively as possible. Substations tend to pop up where wind farm connections are needed or consumer centers need supply.
Calculations guide the selection of suitable input and output points, which help identify potential locations for those undeveloped areas that don't interfere with nature or protected spaces. The distance to residential buildings and link to transportation infrastructure are also significant factors.
Size Matters: Design Changes
Similarly to Goehl in Ostholstein district, some plans have changed drastically in size over time. Initially planned at approximately 10 hectares in 2016, the announcement of a doubling in size was quite a shock. Mayor Thomas Bauer (Citizens' Community Goehl) has since suggested truck access be routed over a new access road through nearby fields instead of damaging the village.
Concerns about electromagnetic radiation and noise have arisen in Sahms and other communities. Mayors such as Helmut Brüggmann and Thomas Bauer are striving to keep their communities informed, addressing concerns, and mediating the process.
Bruggmann has visited existing substations and consulted experts to reassure residents. He claims that the transformers will be encased, so the noise from the transformers would hardly be audible at the fence. Electromagnetic radiation concerns can be set aside, as experts have pointed out that people carrying smartphones experience far more electromagnetic field radiation than any substation could produce.
Tax Relief & Business Opportunities
Despite the concerns, the community could see a silver lining in the form of business tax revenues. Mayor Bruggmann estimates that about a third of the funds would go directly to Sahms, making for a significant boost for the small community. Additionally, battery storage, data centers, or hydrogen production plants may locate near the substation, providing further economic opportunities.
Some have even encouraged Sahms to become the district's energy hub. But Helmut Bruggmann's hesitant: "I don't know if I want that." He and most residents value Sahms' serene, agricultural character, worried that such developments might change the community's dynamic.
United Fronts Against the Grid
In some cases, nearby municipalities have banded together to oppose the construction of substations, such as Mehlbek and Agethorst in Steinburg district. Their concerns about radiation, noise, and falling property prices need to be addressed and mediated by mayors like Helge Treuherz (Communal Voters' Association Mehlbek). This means passing on TenneT's information while remaining skeptical of the substation's constructive impact on Mehlbek.
For now, the specific details surrounding the town's construction timeline remain unclear, as TenneT has only provided schematic visualizations. One goal is to eventually green the substation's surroundings, which could take several years to achieve.
Schleswig-Holstein's becoming a significant part of Germany's energy transformation. This transition means tradeoffs for the affected municipalities, who'll be making room for industrial infrastructure – but also standing to benefit from the opportunities that come with it.
[1] https://www.ecostor.de/en/[2] https://max.taxi.eu/ecostor-bau-realisiert-deutschlands-grossste-batterie-speicher-/[3] https://www.vestas.com/media/news/vestas-wins-187-mw-order-for-holtsee-offshore-wind-farm-in-germany[4] https://www.vestas.com/media/news/vestas-wins-187-mw-order-for-holtsee-offshore-wind-farm-in-germany[5] https://www.heimdall-power.com/
- As Schleswig-Holstein's renewable energy industry expands, the finance sector plays a crucial role in securing the investment needed for the construction of new substations, such as the planned Sahms substation.
- In the future, smaller regional substations may become hubs for emerging green energy sectors like battery storage, data centers, and hydrogen production, offering opportunities for the environmental-science industry and the local economy.
- As Schleswig-Holstein transitions towards a renewable energy-focused future, the environmental impact of these new industrial developments will be closely monitored and balanced against technical requirements and community interests, ensuring that the green initiative does not compromise the region's natural landscapes and protected areas.
