Securing supply and a better connection for the region

Gas and its transmission network are future-proof partners for the successful implementation of the energy transition during the transition phase to renewable energy sources. According to sections 1 and 11 of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG), terranets bw is obliged to operate a secure, reliable and powerful gas transmission system and to develop its network in line with demand due to the continually increasing demand for gas shipping capacities in Baden-Württemberg. The nationwide coordination of development requirements takes place in the scope of the Network Development Plan Gas (NDP Gas). This plan sets out all measures for optimising, strengthening and developing the network in line with demand as well as for guaranteeing the security of supply needed in the next ten years to ensure safe and reliable network operation. The measures listed in the NDP Gas are reviewed and confirmed by the Federal Network Agency. The measures stated in the NDP Gas are binding and to be implemented in accordance with section 15a of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG).

In order to keep pace with increasing capacity demand in Baden-Württemberg, terranets bw is developing its gas transmission system. For Baden-Württemberg, the NDP plans to connect the Ludwigsburg/Enzkreis region to the "Schwaben pipeline" transmission system.

The Neckarenztal pipeline sustainably increases the security of supply in Baden-Württemberg, in particular in the Ludwigsburg region both for gas and electricity, also at peak load times. In addition to this, by connecting to the Nordschwarzwald pipeline commissioned in 2016, connection to the west European transmission system via the Trans Europa Naturgas Pipeline (TENP) was also secured and improved.

For Baden-Württemberg, the Gas NDP plans to connect the Ludwigburg/ Enzkreis region to the "Schwaben pipeline" gas transmission system. The new pipeline is to begin in the Wiernsheim region and run via Vaihingen, Bietigheim-Bissingen to south of Löchgau.

Since 2016, terranets bw has been informing affected communities and towns about route options and welcomes insights and ideas. terranets bw agrees on participation formats and participants within the scope of the early public participation with the communities and the responsible authority (regional council) (s. Guideline for a new planning culture of the State Administration of BW).

In order to reach a broad consensus with all stakeholders, a two-tier approval procedure is carried out.

(cf. Who approves the Neckarenztal pipeline?)

In order to reach a broad consensus with all stakeholders, a two-tier approval procedure is carried out:

• In the spatial planning procedure (German: ROV) according to sections 18 ff LPlG, § 1 No. 14 of the ROV, the responsible authority (regional council) assesses the fundamental spatial compatibility of the project based on various routing options without plot specific planning. This procedure is carried out with participation of the affected communities as well as public agencies.
• The results of this spatial planning procedure are included in the planning approval procedure (German: PFV) according to sections 43 ff of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG). In this procedure the final route is determined by the responsible authority (regional council).
• Both procedures are with public participation.

The competent approving authorites are the regional councils of Karlsruhe and Stuttgart.

(cf. What is the procedure for routing?)

To use land for building the route, pipeline rights in the form of permission contracts must be drawn up with all the affected land owners and managers. A limited personal easement to be granted by the land owner secures this permission in the land registry. The plot or land owner receives a one-off payment. This depends among other things on the size of the pipeline´s protective strip. Fixed compensation rates are used as a basis for calculations. terranets bw also pays for any loss of income normally generated by the land or for any damages that arise as a result of works related to laying the pipeline.

terranets bw as the owner guarantees safety. By commissioning independent technical experts (usually TÜV), the integrity and safety of the construction measures are checked. Before experts are commissioned, they undergo a strict prequalification process. Safety and hazard coordinators guarantee compliance with appropriate working conditions on the construction site in order to avoid accidents.

Operation and maintenance are handled by professionally qualified personnel of terranets bw. The 2,000 km long transmission system and the related systems of terranets bw are monitored and controlled by a 24/7 control centre. By means of remote-controlled valves, single sections can be shut off instantly. Alongside regular maintenance and prompt implementation of necessary maintenance and repair measures in accordance with technical specifications, the pipelines are regularly checked from the air, from the road and during on-site inspections.

It is planned that the construction phase of the Neckarenztal pipeline will be completed by the end of 2022. The construction and commissioning phases of the Neckarenztal pipeline are expected to last approx. 1.5 years. The single construction sections of the locally continuous construction site, in particular on private land, will take about three months. Restoration of the used areas is expected to be finished in the year 2023.

Throughout the whole construction process, terranets bw takes numerous precautions that support the best possible conservation of nature, thus minimising any impact. The process begins with an environmental impact assessment – in cooperation with authorities and associations the impact on protected assets such as plants, animals, ground, water, climate/air, landscape and people as well as on culture and other material assets are checked and evaluated on the basis of a detailed inventory and assessment of nature and landscape. Based on these audit results, steps are developed to avoid or reduce impairments and compensation measures are defined, which then form part of the planning approval decision as ancillary provisions. The environment will be restored (renaturation measures) subsequent to construction of the Heilbronn connection pipeline. Unavoidable and permanent impacts will be compensated by means of suitable measures (compensation measures). In the event that damages occur despite all the mentioned precautionary steps, compensation and replacement of damages will be provided.

Pipeline construction requires temporarily occupying agricultural land for the working strip. The areas on both sides of this working strip can continue to be used during the construction phase. As far as possible, terranets bw strives to minimise harvest downtimes and, when necessary, compensates such downtimes according to fixed compensation rates. When terranets bw has finished using the land, it is recultivated so that the agricultural use of this land is not significantly impaired.