Approval granted for underground cabling between Horgen and Wädenswil

24.05.2019 - The Federal Inspectorate for Heavy Current Installations (ESTI) has granted Axpo the planning authorisation for the power line section between Horgen and the Wädenswil (ZH) substation. No complaints opposing the submitted planning proposal were filed during the authorisation process. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2019.

The high voltage grid on the left bank of Lake Zurich ensures energy supply to the towns located in the area. In order to provide reliable, sustainable energy supply in this region Axpo is increasing the line operating voltage from 50 kilovolts (kV) to 110 kV. Conversion will increase transmission capacities and reduce grid losses by 75 per cent.

In the course of the voltage increase project, Axpo intends to replace the existing overhead line from Horgen to the Wädenswil substation with underground cabling. In 2016, Axpo submitted a planning approval application to the Swiss Federal Inspectorate for Heavy Current Installations (ESTI) for the 8.3-km long section. ESTI has now granted approval.

The decision for new underground cabling came about in the course of the new power grid strategy considering technical, economical, spatial development and environmental aspects. Thanks to regular inspection and optimisation of its grid structure and projects Axpo operates a reliable power grid at low tariffs.

Construction work is scheduled to begin in June 2019. The existing overhead line will be dismantled after commissioning of the 110-kV cable.