About 24,000 tons of cable for the energy turnaround

Schmidbauer forms an important link in the logistics chain of the cables required for electricity transport between production and the construction site as part of the realization of the SuedOstLink project in Germany. Until probably 2026, immense weights will be moved with pinpoint accuracy in a highly complex logistics project at bayernhafen Regensburg.

Over the next four years, Schmidbauer will move around 300 cable drums weighing up to 80 tons each at bayernhafen Regensburg. Since November 1^st, 2021, the specialist team has been handling the unloading of the ships transporting the giant weights on behalf of logistics service provider Deugro Deutschland. Schmidbauer is also responsible for storing the cable drums and other components such as fiber optic cables and joint accessories for the future-oriented SuedOstLink project.

Project 5 of the SuedOstLink

The SuedOstLink is an integral part of the energy transition and will ensure that the electricity produced from renewable sources in the windy north and northeast of Germany can be transported to the south by means of extra-high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission. Project 5 of the SuedOstLink is around 540 kilometers long and stretches from Wolmirstedt near Magdeburg in Saxony-Anhalt to the Isar grid interconnection point near Landshut in Bavaria. In Bavaria, TenneT is planning and building the line from Münchenreuth, in the district of Hof, to the grid connection point.

The cable drums are produced by the Italian Milan-based company Prysmian Group on behalf of TenneT. Production of the cables has been underway in Gron near Paris, France since the fall of 2021. From there they are transported by ship to the storage area in Regensburg. With the help of a 300-ton crawler crane, the huge cable drums are unloaded from the barge, then stored in the next step on the 25,000 m² site. In addition, Schmidbauer provides a 2,000 m² warehouse to store the cable sleeves and terminations professionally and safely.

Use of innovative assistance systems

The crane used is a Liebherr LR 1300.1 SX, which is designed for lifting operations up to a maximum load of 300 tons. Thanks to its many innovative assistance systems, the crawler crane increases safety in use and facilitates lifting. Its special hydraulically liftable cabin is ideally designed to carry out transshipments. In addition, it has a high-speed gear to cover the distances on the storage area at a greater speed. A Merlo P72.10 6-ton telescopic handler and a Clark EPX30i 3-ton forklift are also used.

As soon as shipping of the cable drums to their final destination begins, several special transporters will be loaded each week and sent toward the construction site. Construction of the SuedOstLink is expected to begin in 2024.

Werner Schmidbauer, Managing Director of the Schmidbauer Group, is pleased to say:

"In a tendering process that lasted more than two years, we were able to prevail in the end. It speaks for Schmidbauer that we can make a decisive contribution to this project, which is so important for the future of our country."