---
title: Green energy starts underground &#8211; and with a plan
date: '2025-05-22T09:20:07'
featuredImage: /uploads/2025/02/image_fx_-9.webp
locale: en
---
# Green energy starts underground &#8211; and with a plan

<h2 class="" data-start="1148" data-end="1214">Invisible Heroes: Underground Cabling as the Backbone of Wind Energy</h2>
<p class="" data-start="1216" data-end="1507">Modern onshore wind farms consist not only of turbines, but of a complex network of power lines, connections, transformer stations and interfaces to the public power supply. The cables that connect all these usually run underground – for good reasons:</p>
<p class="" data-start="1509" data-end="1541"><strong data-start="1509" data-end="1541">Advantages of underground cabling:</strong></p>
<ul data-start="1542" data-end="1942">
<li class="" data-start="1542" data-end="1642">
<p class="" data-start="1544" data-end="1642"><strong data-start="1544" data-end="1578">Protection from external influences:</strong> Storms, snow or heat do not affect the supply.</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="1643" data-end="1730">
<p class="" data-start="1645" data-end="1730"><strong data-start="1645" data-end="1674">Reduced downtime:</strong> Cable systems require little maintenance and are less prone to faults.</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="1731" data-end="1823">
<p class="" data-start="1733" data-end="1823"><strong data-start="1733" data-end="1776">Visual integration into the landscape:</strong> No pylons, no power lines in the sky.</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="1824" data-end="1942">
<p class="" data-start="1826" data-end="1942"><strong data-start="1826" data-end="1866">Safety and environmental friendliness:</strong> No risk from falling lines or electromagnetic exposure.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p class="" data-start="1944" data-end="2168">What many underestimate: The cable routes in a wind farm often make up a significant part of the total investment. They are not just a link – they are the <strong data-start="2117" data-end="2144">critical infrastructure</strong> on which everything is built.</p>

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<h2 class="" data-start="1813" data-end="1878">Holistic Planning: Foundation for Sustainable Infrastructure</h2>
<p class="" data-start="1880" data-end="2130">Integrating wind farms into the power grid requires a systemic approach. Sound planning takes into account not only performance requirements, but also environmental conditions, expansion scenarios and approval processes.</p>
<p class="" data-start="2132" data-end="2177"><strong data-start="2132" data-end="2177">Key planning aspects include:</strong></p>
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<th data-start="2179" data-end="2189">Area</th>
<th data-start="2189" data-end="2212">Planning Focus</th>
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<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)]" data-start="2247" data-end="2264">Route Guidance</td>
<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)] min-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)/3)]" data-start="2264" data-end="2314">Geology, ownership, protected areas</td>
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<tr data-start="2315" data-end="2377">
<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)]" data-start="2315" data-end="2331">Grid Connection</td>
<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)] min-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)/3)]" data-start="2331" data-end="2377">Voltage level, feed-in points, redundancy</td>
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<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)]" data-start="2378" data-end="2391">Load Profile</td>
<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)]" data-start="2391" data-end="2433">Design for base and peak loads</td>
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<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)]" data-start="2434" data-end="2451">Scalability</td>
<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)] min-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)/3)]" data-start="2451" data-end="2500">Expansion potential for future systems</td>
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<p class="" data-start="2502" data-end="2671">Professional planning not only ensures security of supply, but also reduces operating costs in the long term and enables flexible responses to grid requirements.</p>
<p data-start="2502" data-end="2671">You can find more information here on how wind energy basically works:</p>
<div class="vlp-link-container vlp-layout-basic"><a href="https://www.e-werk-mittelbaden.de/wie-funktioniert-windenergie" class="vlp-link" title="Wie funktioniert Windenergie? - Einfach erklärt | E-Werk Mittelbaden" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><div class="vlp-layout-zone-side"><div class="vlp-block-2 vlp-link-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.e-werk-mittelbaden.de/sites/default/files/media_image/2024-12/DJI_20231105012629_0029_D-HDR.jpg" style={{"maxWidth":"150px","maxHeight":"150px"}} /></div></div><div class="vlp-layout-zone-main"><div class="vlp-block-0 vlp-link-title">Wie funktioniert Windenergie? - Einfach erklärt | E-Werk Mittelbaden</div><div class="vlp-block-1 vlp-link-summary">Erfahren Sie, wie Windenergie funktioniert und wie sie zur nachhaltigen Energieversorgung beiträgt. Jetzt informieren!</div></div></div></div>
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<h2 class="" data-start="132" data-end="178">Sustainability Starts with Material Selection</h2>
<p class="" data-start="180" data-end="358">A sustainable grid connection does not end with operation. The choice of materials used also makes a decisive contribution to the ecological balance of a project.</p>
<blockquote data-start="360" data-end="448">
<p class="" data-start="362" data-end="448"><strong data-start="362" data-end="448">Those who want to transport climate-friendly energy must also build in a climate-conscious way.</strong></p>
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<p class="" data-start="450" data-end="510"><strong data-start="450" data-end="510">Key aspects of responsible procurement:</strong></p>
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<li class="" data-start="512" data-end="567">
<p class="" data-start="514" data-end="567">Use of recyclable and durable materials</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="568" data-end="621">
<p class="" data-start="570" data-end="621">Proven origin of the raw materials used</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="622" data-end="675">
<p class="" data-start="624" data-end="675">Avoidance of environmentally harmful production processes</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="676" data-end="730">
<p class="" data-start="678" data-end="730">Selection of certified and audited suppliers</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p class="" data-start="732" data-end="932">The cable industry is increasingly moving towards a <a href="https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">circular economy</a> – with improved take-back systems, higher use of secondary raw materials and increasing transparency along the supply chain.</p>
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<h2 class="" data-start="202" data-end="261">Dismantling with a System – Recycling as Part of the Energy Transition</h2>
<p class="" data-start="263" data-end="687">After several decades of operation, every <strong data-start="311" data-end="333">cable infrastructure</strong> reaches the point where it must be replaced or completely dismantled. This section does not mark the end of a project, but its <strong data-start="478" data-end="504">final test</strong>. Because those who take <strong data-start="545" data-end="562">responsibility</strong> from the outset also ensure <strong data-start="602" data-end="620">clear processes</strong>, <strong data-start="622" data-end="652">minimal environmental impact</strong> and <strong data-start="657" data-end="686">maximum recycling</strong> during dismantling.</p>
<p class="" data-start="689" data-end="1109">A well-considered dismantling does not begin with removal, but with a <strong data-start="765" data-end="798">forward-looking choice of materials</strong>: <strong data-start="800" data-end="814">homogeneous</strong>, <strong data-start="816" data-end="834">recyclable</strong> and <strong data-start="839" data-end="855">documented</strong>. <strong data-start="857" data-end="868">Metals</strong> such as copper or aluminum can largely be recovered, as can certain <strong data-start="959" data-end="986">plastic sheaths</strong>. Transport aids such as <strong data-start="1013" data-end="1030">cable drums</strong> can also often be reused or integrated into <strong data-start="1074" data-end="1096">material cycles</strong>.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1111" data-end="1404">This is not only about <strong data-start="1138" data-end="1161">ecological aspects</strong> – a planned dismantling also makes sense <strong data-start="1169" data-end="1183">economically</strong>. Projects that are <strong data-start="1232" data-end="1261">systematically designed for dismantling</strong> avoid high <strong data-start="1293" data-end="1314">disposal costs</strong> and meet future <strong data-start="1339" data-end="1371">regulatory requirements</strong> much more easily.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1406" data-end="1639">Overall, it becomes clear: <strong data-start="1428" data-end="1478">Sustainability does not end at the grid connection.</strong> It covers the <strong data-start="1495" data-end="1520">entire life cycle</strong> – right up to the <strong data-start="1535" data-end="1565">last recycled cable</strong>. Those who think about <strong data-start="1571" data-end="1601">infrastructure holistically</strong> think it through <strong data-start="1619" data-end="1638">to the end</strong>.</p>
<p data-start="1406" data-end="1639">In the following article, you can find out how, for example, wind turbines are recycled:</p>
<div class="vlp-link-container vlp-layout-basic"><a href="https://www.enbw.com/unternehmen/themen/windkraft/windrad-recycling.html" class="vlp-link" title="Recycling von Windrädern | EnBW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a><div class="vlp-layout-zone-side"><div class="vlp-block-2 vlp-link-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.enbw.com/media/image-proxy/1600x914,q70,focus60x67,zoom1.45/https://www.enbw.com/media/presse/images/newsroom/windenergie/rueckbau-windpark-hemme-3_1743678993586.jpg" style={{"maxWidth":"150px","maxHeight":"150px"}} /></div></div><div class="vlp-layout-zone-main"><div class="vlp-block-0 vlp-link-title">Recycling von Windrädern | EnBW</div><div class="vlp-block-1 vlp-link-summary">Wie funktioniert das Recycling von Windrädern? Erfahren Sie mehr über Herausforderungen und die neuesten Methoden.</div></div></div>

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<h2 class="" data-start="266" data-end="312">Reliable Grids Don&#8217;t Happen by Accident</h2>
<p class="" data-start="314" data-end="716">The <strong>requirements</strong> for today’s <strong>energy grids</strong> are constantly <strong>increasing</strong>. Especially for wind power projects realized in remote or structurally weak regions, a stable grid design is crucial. It is no longer enough to transmit power from A to B. The <strong>infrastructure</strong> must also work in unforeseen situations – during peak loads, maintenance or external disruptions.</p>
<p class="" data-start="718" data-end="1195">This <strong>resilience</strong> cannot be retrofitted. It must be considered right from the planning stage. <strong>Grid architecture</strong> that can flexibly respond to different operating situations is not a technical extra, but a fundamental part of <strong>sustainable project development</strong>. The ability to switch, use alternative routes, or throttle power without causing supply outages is particularly important.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1197" data-end="1522">Such a <strong>system</strong> is not only <strong>more stable</strong> – it is <strong>future-proof</strong>. The number of feed-in points is growing, the complexity of network connections is increasing, and regulatory requirements are rising continuously. Anyone investing today should therefore not only secure normal operations, but also plan for the unexpected.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1524" data-end="1605">To conclude, the most important considerations for a resilient grid infrastructure:</p>
<ul data-start="1607" data-end="1930">
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<p class="" data-start="1609" data-end="1665">Planning multiple feed-in paths for critical areas</p>
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<li class="" data-start="1666" data-end="1716">
<p class="" data-start="1668" data-end="1716">Integration of automated switching functions</p>
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<li class="" data-start="1717" data-end="1778">
<p class="" data-start="1719" data-end="1778">Dimensioning with power reserves for load shifting</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="1779" data-end="1844">
<p class="" data-start="1781" data-end="1844">Construction strategies with an eye on expansion and scalability</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="1845" data-end="1930">
<p class="" data-start="1847" data-end="1930">Early coordination with grid operators to ensure connectivity</p>
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<p class="" data-start="1932" data-end="2132">A <strong>reliable grid</strong> is not a product of chance – it is the result of thoughtful, forward-looking <strong>planning</strong>. And it often determines the <strong>long-term success</strong> of a project right from the construction phase.</p>
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<h2 class="" data-start="1847" data-end="1906">Conclusion – a Wind Farm is Only as Green as Its Underground</h2>
<p class="" data-start="1908" data-end="2133">The discussion about renewable energies often revolves around output, storage technologies, and political frameworks. What is rarely discussed is the “invisible part” of the energy transition – what lies underground.</p>
<p class="" data-start="2135" data-end="2241">But this is precisely where it is decided whether a project is truly sustainable, scalable, and fit for the future.</p>
<p class="" data-start="2243" data-end="2259">In summary:</p>
<ul data-start="2261" data-end="2639">
<li class="" data-start="2261" data-end="2351">
<p class="" data-start="2263" data-end="2351">A well-designed cable infrastructure is a basic requirement for every onshore wind farm.</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="2352" data-end="2443">
<p class="" data-start="2354" data-end="2443">Sustainability starts with material selection, logistics and dismantling, not just with operation.</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="2444" data-end="2534">
<p class="" data-start="2446" data-end="2534">Redundant systems ensure long-term network stability – both technically and economically.</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="2535" data-end="2639">
<p class="" data-start="2537" data-end="2639">The success of the project does not depend solely on the turbine, but on everything that connects it to the grid.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p class="" data-start="2641" data-end="2735">Those who understand this are not just planning a wind farm. They are planning a resilient piece of the future.</p>
