Ground-breaking ceremony for substation extension in Steglitz-Zehlendorf

Stromnetz Berlin and district councillor Patrick Steinhoff launch construction project

11.03.2025

Stromnetz Berlin is to double the capacity of Berlin's electricity grid by the early 2030s. This will also strengthen the security of supply in Steglitz-Zehlendorf. Part of the grid expansion programme in the district is the Claszeile substation (UW), which is to be expanded in the coming years. The ground-breaking ceremony took place on 10 March. The current system, which is situated opposite the Süd-Grundschule and dates back to the 1970s, has reached the end of its service life. A modern plant that will supply several tens of thousands of households in the district is to be built on the same site by the end of 2031. 

The ground-breaking ceremony was performed by Steglitz-Zehlendorf's district councillor for urban development Patrick Steinhoff; Christa Arnet, representative for the district on Stromnetz Berlin's Citizens' Council; Mathias Kuhlewind, sub-project manager for building construction; Barbara Schwappach, head of substation design & grid nodes, and Thomas Rütting, head of policy & communication (all three Stromnetz Berlin). 

Dr Erik Landeck, Chairman of the Management Board of Stromnetz Berlin, said, "The expansion of the Claszeile substation is one of our projects that is really picking up speed this year. New substations and grid nodes are currently being built in many parts of the city. Thousands of kilometres of new cables are being laid. We are planning to invest a total of more than 400 million euros in Berlin's electricity grid in 2025. 27 million euros have been earmarked for the Claszeile substation project alone." 

Patrick Steinhoff, district councillor for urban development in Steglitz-Zehlendorf: "The Steglitz-Zehlendorf district authority constantly strives to support the further development or creation of new locations for substations in the interests of security of supply for our citizens. We are happy to discuss this with Stromnetz Berlin." 

Preparations for the construction on Claszeile have been underway since the end of 2023. The transformers were replaced some time ago. A similar extension will be built on the site of the former Claszeile plant by the end of 2026. The electrical systems will be modernised by the end of 2031. At the same time, new power cables will be laid in the vicinity and on the site of the substation between 2027 and 2030. The roof of the new substation is being prepared for the installation of solar panels. 

The power supply will not be interrupted while these works are carried out. Access to private properties and escape routes will be always maintained. 

Stromnetz Berlin is also temporarily using one of its own plots of land for the construction, which has so far been used as a playground and provided free of charge. Once the work has been completed, Stromnetz Berlin plans to build another playground there and will again make it available to the previous user free of charge. 

The company entered into dialogue with citizens at an early stage of the construction project and will provide regular updates on the next steps as part of the citizens' dialogue.