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By Siri Rokosch
Dresden/Bautzen. Due to the new settlements of ESMC and the Infineon-expansion in the north of Dresden and the federal government's "energy transition targets", the utility company Saxony Energy and the grid operator "50 Hertz" are building a new high-voltage line. This will have a total length of around 92 kilometers and connect the district of Bautzen with the district of Meißen in the long term. When the work will start and what this means for the region.
Where will the new high-voltage line be built?
The first stage of the new 380-kilovolt extra-high-voltage line is to be built between Schmölln-Putzkau in the district of Bautzen and the north of Dresden. It will mainly run alongside the existing 110-kilovolt line. This is why no regional planning procedure was necessary, explains Elke Brennstuhl from "50 Hertz". "We are now starting to determine the route corridors. It is not yet clear exactly where and how they will run."
The new high-voltage line is to run parallel to the existing one at the level of the B98 from Schmölln-Putzkau about Bischofswerda, Demitz-Thumitz, Rammenau, Ohorn, Großröhrsdorfsouth of Wachau, Ottendorf-Okrilla and then on to the north of Dresden.
There are various options that are still being examined, particularly around Ohorn, because there is a lot of residential development in this area. Residents should therefore be informed promptly and are allowed to express their concerns and wishes.
The next step is to extend the 380-kilovolt overhead line between Dresden and Großenhain to the Streumen substation. The pylons for the new high-voltage line will be significantly higher than those for the existing 110-kilovolt lines. The so-called "Danube pylons" will be between 50 and 70 meters high. The existing pylons are between 25 and 30 meters high.
Why is the new line necessary?
There are currently no restrictions on the security of supply, emphasizes Steffen Klinger from Sachsen-Netze. However, the energy transition, the relocation of chip manufacturer ESMC and the expansion of Infineon mean that the demand for electricity will increase significantly in the coming years.
In order to ensure the supply of ESMC from mid-2026, a new overhead line with the usual 110 kilovolts will be built as a first step. In the long term, however, 380 kilovolts will be necessary, says the project manager. Sachsen-Netze anticipates a power requirement of 800 megawatts for the north of Dresden alone by 2030.
The higher energy requirements due to e-mobility and heat pumps as well as the feed-in possibilities from wind turbines and photovoltaics also play a role.
What is the timetable for the new building?
The planning approval process is currently underway and should be completed by 2027. After that, construction should proceed very quickly. The new 380-kilovolt high-voltage line between Schmölln-Putzkau and Dresden is expected to be completed between 2029 and 2030.
There is no timetable yet for the further course towards Großenhain, and the route in this area has not yet been determined either. The first information event for local residents will not take place until November.
In the so-called grid expansion plan of the grid operator Sachsen-Netze, the conversion is planned for the entire area of eastern Saxony and Dresden by 2045.
How much will it cost?
Around three billion euros are to be invested in the complete grid expansion. This will not only be used to build the new extra-high voltage lines, but also four substations, including one in Dresden.
Where is the new Dresden substation going?
The new transformer station is expected to be built north of Globalfoundries in the north of Dresden. This is at least the preferred area of the regional utility Sachsen-Energie, explains Steffen Klinger. "A spatial resistance analysis has already been carried out. Environmental aspects and residential development have also been taken into account. The area is our preferred site, but it is not yet final, as the city councillors in Dresden, for example, still have to give their approval."
The new substation is to be built from the end of 2027 and completed between the end of 2029 and the beginning of 2030.
In addition, a new substation is also to be built in Großenhain if required, while a new replacement for the existing plant is planned for Schmölln-Putzkau. The substation in Streumen, on the other hand, is to be expanded. However, there are no concrete timetables for this yet.
How and when will residents be informed?
All residents are to be informed about the plans at an early stage. Comments will also be taken into account, but above all questions will be answered, according to those responsible. The following dates have been set so far:
- Dresden-Klotzsche: September 23, 3 to 6:30 p.m., courtyard of the Klotzsche town hall, Kieler Straße 52
- Radeburg: September 24, 3 to 6:30 p.m., Volkersdorf Volunteer Fire Department, Radeburger Straße 19B
- Ohorn: September 25, 3 to 6:30 p.m., Volunteer Fire Department, Am Wall 3
- Rammenau: September 26, 3 to 6:30 p.m., municipal administration, Hauptstraße 16
