Security of supply, also at peak load times

To ensure that the energy transition is implemented successfully and to guarantee a secure energy supply also during the phase-out of nuclear and coal, it is necessary to have a powerful gas transmission system – for local suppliers in the region, for industry and commerce and for system stability in the electricity grid, which must be supported by modern gas-fired power stations. terranets bw is responsible for operating and expanding its gas transmission system. According to sections 1 and 11 of the Energy Industry Act (German: EnWG), terranets bw is obliged to operate a safe, secure, reliable and powerful gas transmission system and to develop the network as demand for gas shipping capacity continuously increases.

Development requirements are coordinated across Germany in the Gas Network Development Plan (Gas NDP). This plan sets out all the measures necessary in the next ten years to ensure safe, secure and reliable network operation – for optimising, strengthening and expanding the network in line with demand as well as for guaranteeing security of supply. These measures are reviewed by the Federal Network Agency and – after consulting the public – confirmed. This process means that terranets bw is officially commissioned to implement the development measures.

Gas pipelines such as the Spessart-Odenwald pipeline play an indispensable role in transforming the energy infrastructure. Data provided to terranets bw by distribution system operators, municipal utilities, modern power station sites and industry is unambiguous: by the year 2030, demand for natural gas shipping capacity in the terranets bw supply area will grow by 24 percent in order to be able to secure the agreed phase-out of nuclear energy and coal in the region. In order to be able to ship more gas at the same time, terranets bw must develop its gas transmission system. In the future, the Spessart-Odenwald pipeline will be able to ship climate-neutral, green gases and hydrogen. The pipeline is being designed for this purpose today.

The SPO will run along the existing high-pressure gas pipeline MIDAL (Mitte-Deutschland-Anbindungsleitung) in accordance with the principle of route bundling. This will result in a dual structure that will bring significant advantages for the region: From 2028, the SPO will transport natural gas. This means that MIDAL can be converted to transport hydrogen. This will give industrial and supply companies the opportunity to obtain both natural gas and hydrogen via the pipeline system.

Using natural gas is associated with fewer emissions than other fossil fuels, such as lignite or anthracite. Natural gas secures an efficient and reliable supply of energy amidst the transformation of our energy systems. As a source of energy, natural gas is an important companion on our way to a complete energy supply based on renewable energy. It stabilises the supply of energy, also in times of low wind and little sunshine – and supports the rapid phase-out of nuclear energy and coal.

Yes, the SPO is being planned and built in such a way that it will be able to transport hydrogen in the future. In future, terranets bw's entire gas transportation network will be converted to transport hydrogen. That is why terranets bw is already implementing all conversion and expansion measures H2-ready today. The first pipeline to be built H2-ready was the Neckarenztal pipeline in the Ludwigsburg / Enzkreis district. In addition to the SPO, terranets bw is currently also planning and building the Süddeutsche Erdgasleitung (SEL) H₂-ready.

Gas pipelines such as the Spessart-Odenwald pipeline play an indispensable role in transforming the energy infrastructure. Data provided to terranets bw by distribution system operators, municipal utilities, modern power station sites and industry is unambiguous: by the year 2030, demand for natural gas shipping capacity in the terranets bw supply area will grow by 24 percent in order to be able to secure the agreed phase-out of nuclear energy and coal in the region. In order to be able to ship more gas at the same time, terranets bw must develop its gas transmission system. In the future, the Spessart-Odenwald pipeline will be able to ship climate-neutral, green gases and hydrogen. The pipeline is being designed for this purpose today.

terranets bw, which is located in Frankfurt and Stuttgart, is responsible for constructing the Spessart-Odenwald pipeline. The company is responsible for providing a reliable supply of electricity and heat in the region. terranets bw was founded 60 years ago. Some successful building projects completed by terranets bw are, for example, expansion of the gas compressor station in Scharenstetten near Ulm and construction of the new Nordschwarzwald pipeline. The total length of pipeline network operated by terranets bw is currently around 3,000 kilometres.

terranets bw, which is located in Frankfurt and Stuttgart, is responsible for constructing the Spessart-Odenwald pipeline. The company is responsible for providing a reliable supply of electricity and heat in the region. terranets bw was founded 60 years ago. Some successful building projects completed by terranets bw are, for example, expansion of the gas compressor station in Scharenstetten near Ulm and construction of the new Nordschwarzwald pipeline. The total length of pipeline network operated by terranets bw is currently around 2,700 kilometres.

In order to use land for constructing pipeline routes, pipeline rights in the form of permission agreements must be established with all landowners and users of the land who are affected. A limited personal easement that must be granted by the landowners secures this permission in the land registry. The landowners receive in return an one-off payment. This payment depends among other things on the size of the protective strip along the pipeline. Calculations are based on defined compensation rates. terranets bw also pays for any loss of farming income or other damages that can result from works in connection with laying the pipeline.

Agricultural land will be temporarily occupied by the working strip when constructing the pipeline. Areas along both sides of the working strip can continue to be used during the construction phase. terranets bw minimises harvest disruptions as far as possible and compensates such disruptions if necessary based on defined rates. After usage by terranets bw, the land is recultivated so that there are no significant restrictions on agricultural use.

Agricultural land will be temporarily occupied by the working strip when constructing the pipeline. Areas along both sides of the working strip can continue to be used during the construction phase. terranets bw minimises harvest disruptions as far as possible and compensates such disruptions if necessary based on defined rates. After usage by terranets bw, the land is recultivated so that there are no significant restrictions on agricultural use.

Agricultural land will be temporarily occupied by the working strip when constructing the pipeline. Areas along both sides of the working strip can continue to be used during the construction phase. terranets bw minimises harvest disruptions as far as possible and compensates such disruptions if necessary based on defined rates. After usage by terranets bw, the land is recultivated so that there are no significant restrictions on agricultural use.

Agricultural land will be temporarily occupied by the working strip when constructing the pipeline. Areas along both sides of the working strip can continue to be used during the construction phase. terranets bw minimises harvest disruptions as far as possible and compensates such disruptions if necessary based on defined rates. After usage by terranets bw, the land is recultivated so that there are no significant restrictions on agricultural use.

In preparation for the planning approval procedure, terranets bw informed the affected municipalities and citizens as part of the early public participation process. Comments and suggestions received from informal participation opportunities were incorporated into the planning where appropriate and possible.

The formal public participation phase begins with the approval procedure. This will not be accompanied by terranets bw as before, but by the responsible authorities, the Darmstadt Regional Council and the Government of Lower Franconia. terranets bw will continue to provide transparent information on the SPO project website. Regular updates on the current progress of the project can also be found in the SPO newsletter.