Oss/Wijdewormer, The Netherlands, 15 June 2026 – SPIE, the independent European leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications, has been appointed by Dutch distribution system operator Liander as main contractor for the Wijdewormer–Purmerend Baanstee 50 kV underground high‑voltage connection project in North Holland. Now underway and scheduled for completion in November 2026, the project involves the installation of two new underground 50 kV cable connections over a total length of approximately 11 kilometres. It aims to reinforce regional grid capacity in response to growing electricity demand.
The scope of work focuses entirely on civil engineering and underground infrastructure, including horizontal directional drilling (HDD), excavation, dewatering, cable installation and site restoration. Although the electrical installation itself falls outside SPIE’s scope, the company is responsible for the integrated organisation and delivery of the underground works. This positioning further strengthens SPIE’s role in energy infrastructure projects, with a particular focus on the delivery of complex cable routes and associated civil engineering works.
Grid reinforcement requires an integrated infrastructure approach
The energy transition, growing residential development and increasing economic activity are placing ever greater pressure on the electricity grid in North Holland. In large parts of the region, grid congestion has already emerged, with available transmission capacity insufficient to meet current and future demand. This not only hampers economic development but also slows the region’s further decarbonisation.
To address these bottlenecks in a structured way and safeguard security of supply, the regional high-voltage grid will be significantly expanded and reinforced in the coming years. This expansion is essential to future-proof the network, absorb peak loads and create capacity for new connections for homes, businesses and renewable energy sources.
Two new connections, 11 kilometres of infrastructure
The project includes the realisation of two new underground 50 kV cable connections, with a total length of approximately 11 kilometres. The first connection runs from the existing 50 kV Wijdewormer substation in the municipality of Wormerland to the new 50 kV Baanstee substation in the municipality of Purmerend. The second connection links the Wijdewormer substation to the existing 50 kV Schaepmanstraat substation, also in Purmerend. This expansion will not only reinforce the electricity grid but also increase its redundancy.
An integrated approach
In this project, SPIE is acting as main contractor and is responsible for the integrated delivery of the works. Its responsibilities include, among other things, permit management, stakeholder and environmental management, and the coordination of all supplies and activities. This encompasses HDD works, dewatering, excavation, cable installation and the agricultural reinstatement of meadowland.
SPIE is also responsible for baseline surveys, final inspections, as‑built documentation and aftercare, ensuring that the project is fully managed from preparation through to completion and handover.
Project at a glance
- 3 km of open-trench excavation
- 8 km of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) routes
- 14 HDD locations
- 50 HDD bores
- 2 new 50 kV connections
- Cable types: 50 kV 1200 square millimetres Al and 50 kV 630 square millimetres Al
- 12 joint locations
Contacts
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SPIE
Pascal Omnès Group Communications Director Phone : +33 (0)1 34 41 81 11 E-mail : pascal.omnes@spie.com -
SPIE Nederland
Manouk Loonstijn Communications Manager Phone : +31 (0)88 119 5377 E-mail : manouk.loonstijn@spie.com -
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Marianne Hervé Press relations consultant Phone : + 33 (0) 1 53 70 74 71 E-mail : spie@image7.fr