VINCI Construction GeoInfrastructure has been selected by TenneT, a Germany-based transmission system operator, to execute the undergrounding of DC powerlines on the SuedOstLink project.  

The segment between Marktredwitz and Pfreimd in Bavaria is set to enhance the electricity supply with a focus on renewable energy.  

The SuedOstLink initiative is integral to Germany's broader strategy to attain climate neutrality by 2045. 

It will facilitate the transfer of wind-generated power from northern regions to the southern industrial zones, aligning with the gradual decommissioning of traditional power plants.  

The contract encompasses civil engineering responsibilities, with work divided into two primary phases.  

The first phase, running from August 2024 to December 2026, involves earthworks and the installation of underground sleeves over an approximate distance of 90km, alongside the building of necessary access roads for the work site. 

VINCI Construction GeoInfrastructure will collaborate with Spiecapag and HDI, affiliates within VINCI Construction specialising in pipeline installation, to complete tasks in this phase.  

The second phase, which is set to run from December 2026 to May 2028, entails underground access work for laying four 525kV DC powerlines within the sleeves.  

The project will employ trenchless technologies such as directional drilling to navigate around various environmental challenges while minimising ecological disruption.  

Efforts will be made to repurpose excavated materials on site, reducing waste transport and diminishing reliance on quarry-sourced raw materials.  

In related news, VINCI Construction subsidiary Nuvia completed the purchase of French company MBO Groupe earlier this month. 

MBO is a player in thermal insulation, scaffolding, and confinement. The acquisition expands Nuvia’s operational capabilities, especially in the nuclear sector. 

In April this year, two subsidiaries of VINCI Construction were contracted for the Georges Besse II extension in France.