Essen – November 02, 2026 -- Westnetz, the grid operator of Westenergie, plans to renew, expand or newly build more than 21,000 kilometers of power lines by 2030 under its Grid Expansion Plan 2026. The plan also covers measures at about 250 substations and more than 30,000 local grid stations.
Data center load in Westnetz's area is forecast to rise nearly ninefold
Forecast power demand from data centers in the Westnetz service area climbs from 217 MW in 2024 to 1,912 MW in 2030. Demand from electric mobility grows from 1,783 MW to 14,963 MW over the same period, more than eight times the 2024 level. Photovoltaic capacity is expected to roughly double, from about 10,800 MW to almost 22,000 MW.
The grid area spans North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and parts of Lower Saxony and Hesse.
Westnetz targets 100% digital mapping of local grids
Existing local grid stations are to be expanded, renewed or replaced with new digitized stations equipped with measurement or remote-control technology. Westnetz aims to map 100 percent of its local grids digitally, giving it a broader data basis to optimize grid operations.
Westnetz follows the NOVA principle: grid optimization before grid reinforcement before grid expansion. Digitized stations, better data and forecasts, and flexible grid connections are meant to free up connection capacity on existing infrastructure.
Westenergie CEO and CTO Robert Denda said a plan alone does not create a grid connection, and that the grids must advance technologically as well as grow.
Westenergie has invested about EUR 4.5 billion in regulated grids since 2020
Since its founding in October 2020, the Westenergie Group has invested about EUR 4.5 billion in its regulated electricity and gas networks. Annual investment rose from EUR 775 million in 2020 to more than EUR 1.4 billion in 2025.
Plan to 2045 covers 63,000 km of lines and more than 700 substations
Across the full planning horizon to 2045, the plan includes measures on about 63,000 kilometers of power lines, more than 700 substations and about 40,000 local grid stations. These totals include the 2030 measures. Much of the work will take place during live operation, so supply security and grid stability must hold throughout.
Regional demand drivers differ across the grid area
- Northeastern North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and southern Lower Saxony: wind and solar expansion.
- Ruhr area: industrial electrification, electric mobility and heat pumps.
- Rhineland and southwestern North Rhine-Westphalia: industrial processes and data centers.
- Southern Hesse: rising electricity demand from data centers.
Plan is not a binding construction or investment commitment
The plan is prepared every two years under Section 14d of the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG), based on the Regional Scenario West. The listed measures are not binding construction or investment decisions for every project. Implementation depends on actual generation and consumption trends, the regulatory framework and required permits. The plan is published on the VNBdigital platform.