To a large extent
So far, progress has only been “visible in individual line sections,” said Müller, with a view to the currently still low number of approved routes. “But from next year we will be issuing building permits on a large scale.”
After the approvals, the construction follows and then the commissioning – it will take a while until that happens. A total of around 14,000 kilometers of high-voltage lines are to be built in Germany in the coming years. The Federal Network Agency is responsible for the larger projects that run through several federal states. The other routes are a matter for the state authorities.
Electricity highways controversial
Most of the electricity highways will run underground. Nevertheless, in some places there is criticism and concerns from citizens’ initiatives, which have threatened lawsuits. This is one reason why the expansion of high-voltage lines in Germany, which has long been demanded by federal politicians and the economy, has been progressing rather sluggishly. With the figures now published, the Federal Network Agency wants to underline that the approvals will soon pick up the pace. (dpa/jk)