A secure future through a reliable grid infrastructure

Our energy system is undergoing fundamental change. The German government has set the goal of greenhouse gas neutrality by 2045 in the Climate Protection Act. This also poses major challenges for grid operators. EWE NETZ expects volatility and complexity in the electricity grid to increase significantly - both due to the growing share of renewable energy being fed into the grid and the rising demand from electromobility and electric heating.

The gas infrastructure is also facing far-reaching changes. Fossil natural gas will become less important while gases, such as green hydrogen, will play an important role in the future energy system. EWE NETZ is adapting to these changes in order to continue to provide future-proof grids for a reliable supply of electricity and natural gas or green hydrogen. EWE NETZ is driving forward the transformation of the energy system by expanding and modernising large parts of its network infrastructure. EWE itself aims to be climate-neutral by 2035.

The ongoing expansion of renewable electricity generation and the transformation of the transport and heating sectors will ensure an ever-increasing demand for electricity grid capacities in the coming years. This makes the electricity grid a key factor in the success of the energy transition. Accordingly, EWE NETZ is actively driving its expansion—investing almost two billion euros in infrastructure by 2033 alone.

In addition to a secure and reliable supply for the region, the expansion of the electricity grid in a way that protects the landscape continues to be a priority. EWE NETZ’s electricity grid is now almost entirely underground (nearly 100 percent), which is a unique feature among rural grid operators in Germany. As a result, EWE NETZ’s power grid is highly resistant to weather-related disruptions and ranks among the most reliable electricity distribution grids in all of Europe.

More than half of energy consumption in Germany is used to supply heat. This makes alternative heating models a key lever in driving forward the heat transition. Heating grids supply several buildings or entire communities with locally available heat. They are therefore a great solution for ensuring an efficient and future-proof heat supply. EWE VERTRIEB GmbH plans and operates district heating grids as well as local heating solutions for residential areas. Additionally, EWE NETZ GmbH supports municipalities with a comprehensive solution package for municipal heat planning. We ensure that power grids continue to safely and reliably connect all market participants in the new energy landscape.