SPIE awarded three contracts for substations in Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Höpfingen/Ellwangen/ Obersteinach, Germany, 9 April 2025 – SPIE, the independent European leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications, has been awarded three new contracts for substations in the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg. These orders are all part of the grid expansion plan of Netze BW, the largest grid company for electricity, gas and water in the state. The grid expansion plan covers a whole package of measures designed to transform the electricity grid, such as the conversion and expansion of routes and line systems as well as the enlargement and installation of new substations. The aim is to ensure a reliable power supply in the face of rising energy requirements and integrate renewable energy sources into the electricity grid in order to tackle the challenges of the energy transition.

As general contractor, SPIE is responsible for comprehensively planning, developing, implementing and commissioning the substations. Beginning this summer in the Neunstadt area of Ellwangen SPIE will be setting up a 110/20-kilovolt (kV) substation on behalf of Netze BW and Netze ODR, the largest distribution grid operator in the East Württemberg region and the neighbouring state of Bavaria. The services include among others the erection of the operating building, the installation of the 110/20 kV transformers as well as the entire 20 kV system and the telecontrol system used for monitoring and controlling remote systems. Individual components of the 110 kV overhead system such as busbars, line panels and control cabinets will also need to be put in place. Commissioning is planned for the end of 2027.

The complete renovation of the existing substation in Obersteinach commenced in February of this year. Apart from renewing primary and secondary technical components, the work also includes erecting two operating buildings and two terminal pylons, including line connections and BIM (Building Information Modelling) coordination. The work is scheduled for completion by the end of 2028. Both substations are primarily designed to feed renewable energy into the grid.

From summer 2025, the 110 kV switchgear at the substation in Höpfingen will be enlarged to include a switchgear panel capable of connecting up to four additional substations to feed in wind and solar power going forward. The energy supply delivered by the Obersteinach and Höpfingen substations will also be continuously ensured during the renovation and expansion phase.

“With these new orders, we are making a significant contribution to implementing Netze BW’s grid expansion plan,” says Thomas Kühne, Head of Projects at the South-West branch of the Substations business unit of SPIE Germany Switzerland Austria’s High Voltage operational division. “The short planning and implementation phases call for a strong team with a high degree of technical ability. We have the necessary experience and expertise that is key for projects of this size and complexity.”

Since 2006, SPIE has completed over 70 projects for Netze BW. “With our extensive know-how, we are actively driving forward the energy transition in Germany and helping our customers to take on one of the greatest challenges of our time,” adds Burkhard Sager, General Manager of the High Voltage operational division at SPIE Germany Switzerland Austria.