Green Energy for the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel
The Fehmarnbelt Tunnel is to be operated as environmentally friendly as possible. The tender for the construction of a transformer station near Rødbyhavn creates an important prerequisite. The green electricity for the operation of the tunnel will be obtained directly from the transformer station. In the future, the plant will also be able to supply energy to a larger charging station for e-cars.
Constant Power Supply for the 18 km Fehmarnbelt Tunnel
The largescale transformer station, which will be sited close to the tunnel portal at Rødbyhavn, will ensure that the 18 km Fehmarnbelt Tunnel has a constant and secure supply of power to run electric train operations, the motorway, ventilation and lighting.
The contract for building the transformer station has been put out for tender with pre-qualification of interested bidders taking place before the summer holidays, with a view to start-up in 2023.
This is an extremely high value contract that will attract bidders from Denmark and beyond, says Kirsten Christensen, Femern A/S’ Contract Director with responsibility for railway installations. “The transformer station will be one of a kind in Denmark, taking its size and capacity into consideration. It will supply energy to run electric train operations and the electrical installations inside the tunnel. We expect several stakeholders within the field to be interested in the task”, says Kirsten Christensen.
With an area of approximately 30 000 m2. the transformer station will be one of the largest of its type in Denmark. It will distribute electricity to the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel’s railway and installations as well as 10 km of railway on Lolland.
As well as prioritising energy efficiency, Femern A/S’ contract also requires the transformer station to be prepared for the future use of electric modes of transport. There will be sufficient capacity for a largescale charging station for electric vehicles near the tunnel.
„The Fehmarnbelt Tunnel will be a fully electrified, green transport corridor for passenger and freight trains. The completed tunnel and transformer station will be a substantial contribution to the green transition of the transport sector,” says Kirsten Christensen.
In order to secure the power supply for the operation of the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel, in addition to the transformer station on the Danish side, a plant is also being built on the German side, but it is smaller in size. The transformer station on Fehmarn serves as a so-called redundant power supply in case of disturbances in the Danish network. Schleswig-Holstein Netz AG will begin construction of this transformer station and a temporary transformer station, which will be dismantled after the construction phase, in spring 2021.
