Outlook for 2016: Record high investments in Berlin's electricity grid
20.01.2016
Never before has the record sum of EUR 167 million been invested in Berlin's energy distribution grid in the more than 130-year history of Berlin's electricity grid.
Never before has the record sum of EUR 167 million been invested in Berlin's energy distribution grid in the more than 130-year history of Berlin's electricity grid. This was announced by Stromnetz Berlin GmbH at their annual press conference today. Investments are divided into three main areas: there are plans to invest about EUR 28 million in "smart grid and digitalisation", EUR 45 million to meet the needs of the "growing city of Berlin" and about EUR 94 million in "maintenance and modernisation" of the electricity grid.
The company is also focusing on digitalisation and with the Berlin roadworks map and an online disruption map, is introducing, among other things, two new forward-looking activities aimed at benefitting Berlin and its residents. With the roadworks map, which came into operation this week, Stromnetz Berlin is working together with five other infrastructure operators in the infrest initiative to improve the organisation and coordination of construction measures throughout the entire city. The electronic online disruption map will provide the general public with current information on electricity supply disruptions from February 2016.
Thomas Schäfer, Chairman of the Board of Stromnetz Berlin, also announced plans to extend connection to the electricity grid within Berlin and the region. "Because the electricity grid is in good hands, we must open it up. To take full advantage of the entrepreneurial spirit from the startup scene in order to provide an even better electricity grid for the changing needs of households and the creativity of the city, we plan to considerably expand dialogue with Berlin's economy and society."
In the coming decade, company investments will total about EUR 1.6 billion, says Schäfer as the long-term outlook. "We want to contribute to making Berlin more attractive as a business and science location with a secure, reliable and smart electricity supply. We are also working towards making Berlin the smartest metropole grid in Germany."
Presentation annual press conference 2016
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