Pylons are disappearing from the cityscape - Stromnetz Berlin dismantles Berlin's oldest overhead electricity line
29.05.2013
After around 85 years of service, the first pylon on the stretch of overhead electricity lines between Charlottenburg and Moabit on Quedlinburger Strasse was dismantled. Over the next few weeks, this complete 110,000 volt section of overhead line, measuring around 4.7 km in total and with 29 electricity pylons of up to 45 m in height will be dismantled by the operators of Berlin's energy grid.
After around 85 years of service, the first pylon on the stretch of overhead electricity lines between Charlottenburg and Moabit on Quedlinburger Strasse was dismantled. Over the next few weeks, this complete 110,000 volt section of overhead line, measuring around 4.7 km in total and with 29 electricity pylons of up to 45 m in height will be dismantled by the operators of Berlin's energy grid.
This dismantling was made possible through measures to expand the high voltage grid in Berlin Charlottenburg. As early as 2010, Stromnetz Berlin GmbH had begun to lay underground cables and renovate plants in this section. After a total of around EUR 10 million was spent on expanding the grid in this part of Berlin's city centre, the dismantling of the overhead electricity lines marks the completion of this project.
By cabling the overhead electricity lines, the grid operator is responding to the increase in Berlin's population over the coming decades. The newly laid subterranean cables facilitate improved transmission compared to the old overhead cables and guarantee a reliable supply of energy, even in the face of increasing demands on the energy grid. "Berlin is a growing city. As the capital's grid operator, it's our job to recognise these sorts of trends and developments in Berlin early on, and provide appropriate infrastructure in a timely manner," said Dr Helmar Rendez, CEO of Stromnetz Berlin GmbH of the completed grid expansion.
As early as 1928, the capital's energy was transported through the overhead cables in Charlottenburg and Moabit. Expansion and renovation measures were carried out on the line in the 1950s, which helped define the image of north-west Berlin for decades. At Moabit and Charlottenburg power plants, the recently dismantled overhead cables connected two of the city's major electricity generation plants to Berlin's distribution grid for many years.
