With the third and final planning approval from the German Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur), transmission system operator 50Hertz has received the full building permit for its section of the SuedOstLink – a 270-kilometre direct-current line stretching through Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony, and Thuringia. Construction across the full route can now begin.
The SuedOstLink is a critical project for Germany’s Energiewende (energy transition), enabling the transport of wind power from northern and eastern Germany to high-demand regions in the south. Once completed, the 540-kilometre line will carry electricity generated by approximately 1,400 wind turbines, with a total capacity of 4 gigawatts.
A notable feature of the project is the 18–19 km overhead line section near Magdeburg, which replaces an existing AC line—a cost-efficient and locally supported alternative to underground cables. This segment showcases innovative integration into existing infrastructure, reducing environmental and visual impact.
Early construction work had already begun in 2024, supported by prior partial approvals, with activities such as road and river crossings and station construction in Golbitz.
The first electricity is expected to flow through the SuedOstLink in 2027, marking a major milestone in expanding Germany’s renewable energy backbone. For 50Hertz, this is both a technical achievement and a powerful signal of progress in delivering the infrastructure needed for a climate-neutral future.
