Contact

Services · Substations

Planning and approval of substations

We take care of the entire planning process for your substation – from the initial layout concepts and variant analyses, through planning for regulatory approvals and coordination with the relevant authorities, right through to detailed construction planning. At every stage of the project, our specialist planners in primary systems, secondary systems and structural engineering work closely together. In our planning department, we have already completed or worked on over 250 projects involving 110 kV substations.

Electrical substation with two power transformers, high-voltage switchgear and grid connection point for connecting wind turbines to the power grid.

Our process

The three-stage approval process

The planning and approval phase is usually the most time-critical stage of a substation project. We support you through all three phases – as your single-point-of-contact partner.

Preliminary design

Layout concepts, schematic diagrams and grid connection concepts lay the foundations.

Planning for authorisation

A complete set of planning application documents and active consultation with the relevant authorities will secure approval.

Detailed design

Detailed planning across four disciplines for manufacturing and assembly.

Services in detail

What we do at every stage

The cornerstone of the project’s success. We take into account the energy suppliers’ technical connection requirements (TAB High Voltage), the local site conditions, and economic and operational considerations.

  • Substation and plant layouts; operational buildings, transformer pits and their arrangement
  • Electrical and structural designs; single-line diagrams
  • Grid connection concepts; technical calculations and sizing
  • Analysis of alternative options; coordination with electricity suppliers, grid operators and authorities
  • Support with obtaining grid connection approval

Legal Basis

Legal framework for the authorisation of substations

When approving a 110 kV substation, for example, there are several legal requirements to be taken into account. We set out the key aspects clearly so that it is evident from the outset which procedures fall under our responsibility and which are the client’s responsibility.

Federal Clean Air Act (BImSchG)

The environmental protection proceedings relate to the client’s energy park and fall within the client’s area of responsibility – not the substation itself. There is an indirect link, as without approval for the park, the associated substation cannot be meaningfully implemented either.

Planning permission

In our planning for the planning permission application, the planning permission relates exclusively to the substation and, where applicable, the associated auxiliary masts. The auxiliary masts are dealt with under a notification procedure in accordance with Section 43.

Section 35 of the BauGB (Building in Outlying Areas)

As our projects relate exclusively to renewable energy, they are classified as ‘privileged’ or ‘partially privileged’ schemes and may, in principle, also be carried out in rural areas. We explain and justify this aspect in each of our planning applications.

Zoning Plan

It is only in rare cases that a development plan is already in place for a project. If this is the case, we naturally take its requirements into account in our planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions about the authorisation of substations

The space required depends on the voltage level, the system configuration and the location. We determine the exact space required during the preliminary design phase based on the system layout.

References

Successfully planned and approved

All references

Contact us

Planning certainty right from the start

Planning for planning permission, timetables, liaising with the authorities – we’ll guide you through the entire planning phase.

Robert Stefaniak

Sales Manager

Enquire about a project

Our services

From planning to operation – everything from a single source

01Construction & Assembly

High- and medium-voltage installation, primary and secondary technology, switch cabinet construction – all co-ordinated.

02Grid connection

Connection to 110 kV and 380 kV grids, coordination with grid operators, grid connection.

03Commissioning

Protection and control system testing in accordance with utility company specifications, including functional and safety tests, all of which are documented.

04Service & Maintenance

Scheduled maintenance, earthing and short-circuit tests, servicing and fault-clearing service.