How Prysmian & E.ON are Developing Greener Grids in Germany
Prysmian and E.ON are supporting the energy transition across Europe and now working to make power grids into more efficient networks.
The collaboration is set on a long-term framework agreement for low and medium voltage cables, which will support the German grid's ongoing efforts to expand renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
This will also support the roll-out of electric vehicles, heat pumps and the connection of battery storage systems.
Lisbeth Buschkühl, Lisbeth Buschkühl, Senior Vice President Supply Chain and Chief Procurement Officer at E.ON, says: "Cables are traditionally—and will continue to be—one of the most important technology requirements in the grid.
"As the playmaker of the energy transition, we set impulses for the sustainable expansion of the infrastructure for the necessary transformation—without losing sight of affordability.
"We look forward to developing innovative cable solutions with Prysmian and putting them into practice. This strengthens value creation in Europe and supports the business location."
Multi-billion investment for German infrastructure
This agreement is part of E.ON's procurement initiative, amounting to more than €6bn (US$6.9bn).
It aims to act as a critical component in modernising Germany's power grid to expedite the country's energy transition.
Cinzia Farisè, EVP Power Grid Prysmian, explains: "We are honoured to be chosen as partners by E.ON in their accelerated efforts towards the upgrade and expansion of their power distribution grid."
Substantial materials are needed for the transition — more than 500,000 km of cables are expected to be used by 2045 for upgrading and modernising the German grid.
This significant length of cable could circumnavigate the earth 12.5 times, with vital components such as aluminium, copper and polyethylene.
Marcello Del Brenna, CEO at Prysmian Europe, adds: "Power grids are critical for the energy transition and Prysmian is ready to help Europe meet the urgent need to develop intelligent power grid infrastructure in order to accommodate integration of renewable energy sources, installation of heat pumps, residential electricity storage systems and charging stations and grant sustainable secure and affordable energy supplies."
Innovation and local production
Prysmian and E.ON are collaboratively advancing towards sustainability by focusing on climate-conscious materials and prioritising production within Europe.
This initiative makes use of Prysmian's manufacturing facilities in Germany (Schwerin), Hungary (Balassagyarmat) and Romania (Slatina).
Prysmian integrates up to 50% premium recycled polyethylene in cable outer sheaths, reducing carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to new materials.
The company sources about 80% of its aluminium from low-carbon production facilities, with local renewable energy sources, including solar photovoltaic systems and biogas, powering the manufacturing process more sustainably.
Benjamin Ferlay, Europe R&D SVP at Prysmian, says: "This initiative underlines our commitment to a circular economy and drives the transformation towards sustainable infrastructure.
"Together with E.ON, we are setting standards for environmentally conscious energy solutions."
