Construction progresses on Germany’s €10 billion SuedLink power link

Work has started on two additional stages of the 4-GW SuedLink high-voltage transmission project, Germany’s largest single energy infrastructure initiative. The 700 km cable will carry surplus wind power from the North Sea to southern demand centres, easing chronic grid bottlenecks.

The project, divided into 15 stages, is being developed in parallel by system operators Tennet in the north and TransnetBW in the south. After more than a decade in planning, and multiple delays caused by local opposition to overhead lines, the route was redesigned for underground cabling. Construction is now expected to complete by the end of 2028.

Ground-breaking ceremonies in Hesse and southern Lower Saxony were attended by state energy ministers, highlighting the strategic significance of SuedLink for Germany’s power system. Earlier this year, Bavaria’s Energy Minister Katherina Reiche marked the start of southern-stage construction, reinforcing political backing for the project.

The link addresses a key challenge: grid bottlenecks that have limited wind energy expansion and increased grid fees in Germany. By enabling smoother transmission from renewable-heavy northern regions to industrial south, SuedLink represents a critical investment in the country’s energy transition and long-term reliability of supply.

The project’s scale, complexity, and extended timeline illustrate the challenges of balancing local concerns with national energy strategy, while offering lessons for large infrastructure developments across Europe.

Read the full article for insights into how SuedLink will reshape Germany’s energy landscape.