Cologne Bonn Airport is getting its own connection to the 110 kilovolt (kV) high-voltage grid for the first time. This will enable three times more energy to be supplied than via the airport's previous medium-voltage connection. The successful completion of this infrastructure project lays an important foundation for a future-proof and significantly more efficient power supply. The connection not only strengthens the airport itself, but also its role as an important business location for the city of Cologne and the entire region.
Supply security at the highest level
During an on-site visit, Susanne Fabry, Member of the Executive Board for Networks at RheinEnergie, Jürgen Köchling, Managing Director of Technology and Sales at Westenergie Netzservice GmbH, and Thilo Schmid, Chairman of the Management Board of Flughafen Köln/Bonn GmbH, inspected the new high-voltage cable before it was put into operation.
To enable the connection, RheinEnergie has laid a high-voltage cable approximately 7.5 kilometres long over the past few years. Westenergie Netzservice GmbH was responsible for planning and constructing the associated substation, which comprises a building with two 110 kV rooms and two 60 megavolt ampere transformers. Westnetz GmbH, a subsidiary of Westenergie AG, will be responsible for the subsequent operation of the high-voltage grid and the substation.
Thanks to the connection to the 110 kV grid, the airport is now connected to two different upstream 110 kV substations. This is particularly important in light of growing demands from digitalisation, electromobility and the operation of modern airport technology. The numerous freight logistics companies based at the airport will also benefit. The new connection significantly increases supply security and makes the airport more resilient.
A specially constructed substation takes the electricity from the high-voltage grid, converts it to medium voltage and distributes it via the airport's internal grid. From there, the electricity is fed into the terminals, buildings and to the freight logistics companies.
‘With the new substation, the airport is creating an important technical prerequisite for continuing to drive forward the supply of renewable energy,’ says Thilo Schmid. ‘The high-performance plant supports our expansion of e-mobility. This will enable us to increase the share of renewable energy even further in the future,’ says Schmid.
‘In view of the growing demand for electricity, we need a powerful and resilient infrastructure. It also forms the basis for the transformation of the energy system that we are striving for. The connection of the airport is part of a larger infrastructure project in which we are strengthening the performance of the entire high-voltage grid in Cologne,’ said Susanne Fabry.
Jürgen Köchling, Managing Director of Technology and Sales at Westenergie Netzservice GmbH, explains: ‘Together with Cologne Bonn Airport and RheinEnergie, we are bringing the energy transition to one of the region's most important transport hubs. With our experience and technical expertise, we are ensuring that this facility is connected to the grid efficiently and in a future-proof manner.’
Boost for the regional economy
Cologne Bonn Airport is much more than a transport hub – it is an economic driver for the region. With the new grid connection, the airport is creating modern conditions to become even more attractive as a location for logistics, services and industry. Companies that depend on a stable energy supply and reliable infrastructure will find a future-proof environment here. This strengthens the competitiveness of the entire region and creates long-term jobs.
