Overview

• Tennet warns that replacing underground cables with overhead lines on three planned HVDC projects could save up to €20 billion.
• The Bundesnetzagentur pegs potential savings at €16.5 billion but cautions that switching would require fresh route planning and cause delays.
• Tennet projects that slimmer infrastructure costs could lower network charges by about one cent per kilowatt-hour for consumers.
• The governing coalition’s agreement directs new high-voltage lines to use overhead routes “where possible,” with special consideration for heavily impacted regions.
• A monitoring report expected by summer 2025 will assess power demand, grid security and renewable targets to inform the final decision.