Nuremberg / Redekin – As part of the grid expansion to implement the energy transition, the necessary transmission capacities are being increased in Germany. This requires, among other things, the construction of power lines. The electricity transition is largely based on the expansion and upgrading of the electricity grid through the installation of overhead lines. In contrast to underground cables, overhead lines play a decisive role in transmission grids in order to transport electricity from wind energy in northern Germany to consumers in the south. In order to make the transmission and transfer of this sustainably generated energy more environmentally friendly with immediate effect, four extra-high-voltage pylons with CO2-reduced steel are being erected as part of a pilot project.
This currently saves up to 75 percent CO2 compared to conventional steel production processes. This is the first step towards achieving decarbonization along the value chain for the production of steel lattice towers.
WIEGEL Parey is an innovation partner for transmission system operators
One of the largest transmission system operators in the extra-high voltage sector is relying on the expertise of the WIEGEL Group for this pilot project. “In this collaboration, points such as decades of expertise in steel lattice tower construction, flexible regional vertical integration (lattice tower production, hot-dip galvanizing, paint coating) and short transport routes to the tower site are decisive advantages that tipped the scales in favour of WIEGEL Parey,” says Dr. Oliver Nitzsche, Managing Director of WIEGEL Parey GmbH & Co KG. WIEGEL has been an active and leading innovation partner for transmission system operators for many years.
“With this pilot project, WIEGEL is not only making the first, but also a highly visible contribution to grid expansion and the energy transition with the declared aim of achieving climate neutrality in the future.”
Dr.-Ing. Oliver Nitzsche, Managing Director of WIEGEL Parey
Increased quantity of recycled and recyclable steel
In contrast to conventionally produced steel, the CO2-reduced steel used for the lattice towers in the pilot project consists of an increased amount of recycled and recyclable steel. Furthermore, it is not produced in the steelworks via the conventional blast furnace route, as is usually the case, but in an electric arc furnace using renewable energy. This method has a decisive advantage in terms of CO2 emissions.
The four steel lattice towers manufactured by WIEGEL Parey will be erected in the district of Nienburg (Weser) in Lower Saxony. The masts are of the following types:
| Mast types | Steel weight | Height level | CO2 eq (conventional) | CO2 eq (reduced) | CO2 savings |
| Support mast T1-32 | approx. 38 to | 32 m | approx. 104.000 kg | approx. 24.000 kg | up to 75 % |
| Support mast T1-35 | approx. 32 to | 35 m | approx. 112.000 kg | approx. 26.000 kg | up to 75 % |
| Angled guyed mast WA160-30 | approx. 72 to | 30 m | approx. 199.000 kg | approx. 45.000 kg | up to 75 % |
| Angled guyed mast WA160-33 | approx. 69 to | 33 m | approx. 190.000 kg | approx. 50.000 kg | up to 75 % |
“With this pilot project, WIEGEL is not only making the first, but also a highly visible contribution to grid expansion and the energy transition with the declared goal of future climate neutrality,” summarizes Dr. Nitzsche.
Example photo: An angled branch mast manufactured by WIEGEL Parey in the Halle/Saale area weighing 62 tonnes.
Photo download
Media representatives have the opportunity to use a royalty-free press photo of the angle-junction mast shown as an example and of Dr. Oliver Nitzsche for their reporting. The image source must be indicated: WIEGEL Group.
About the WIEGEL Group
WIEGEL is an owner-managed family business that was founded by Hans Wiegel in Nuremberg in 1950. With over 1,500 employees at 39 locations in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, WIEGEL galvanises 400,000 tonnes of steel per year for 14,000 partners worldwide. In addition to galvanising, powder coating and wet coating, the WIEGEL Group has proven expertise in lattice mast construction and, with its subsidiary TKS – Telekommunikationsbau Services GmbH, in the field of telecommunications.
WIEGEL also sets standards in the areas of sustainability and environmental protection. As early as 1989, a central environmental officer and an environmental management system were introduced for all plants. Since 2014, the group of companies headquartered in Nuremberg has successfully undergone the world’s most demanding European environmental management system, EMAS. In 2017, WIEGEL received awards from the European Commission and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment for its commitment to environmental protection. Further information can be found at www.wiegel.de and www.tks-dretzel.de.
Published: 16. July 2024
