Grid operator TenneT has commissioned Royal Heijmans to produce high-voltage switching fields at its new Krachtveld production facility in Ede over the next five years. The first modules are scheduled to roll off the production line in early 2026. The contract is worth close to € 80 million. This approach is 30 percent faster than the traditional on-site construction methods. The Netherlands urgently needs to accelerate the expansion of its electricity grid, as demand for electricity from households and businesses is growing rapidly and the grid is running close to full capacity throughout the Netherlands.
Frank Wester, Director of Operations at TenneT Netherlands: “In order to meet the full demand for electricity, we will have to at least double the capacity of the high-voltage grid in the coming years. We can only tackle this enormous task if, in addition to shortening procedures and licensing processes, we standardise and build in a modular way. For example, this includes the replacement of outdated high-voltage substations and the construction of new substations and high-voltage pylons, but also the construction of additional high-voltage switching fields at existing 110,000 and 150,000-volt high-voltage substations. We are delighted that Heijmans is taking on the production of these high-voltage fields for us. Thanks to standardisation and production in a controlled environment, together we are shortening the construction lead time at the existing high-voltage substations, plus we can get the switching fields up and running more quickly than we can using traditional construction methods. This prefabrication solution is an excellent example of the acceleration that the Netherlands now needs in the energy transition.”
Controlled production environment
Heijmans will supply Tennet with 480 ‘prefab modules’ for 120 high-voltage switching fields over the next five years, with a contract value of almost € 80 million, as part of a previously concluded framework agreement. The prefab components will be assembled and tested in a controlled production environment before being transported to TenneT’s existing high-voltage substations, which reduces the number of on-site operations. This will make processes more predictable, safer and more efficient, while enabling us to achieve more with the same number of staff. This is not only essential in times of labour shortages, but will also help to improve working conditions for employees.
Combining speed with quality and safety
Bart Smolders, Heijmans Infra board chairman: “The production facility in Ede is a prefect demonstration of how we think in terms of solutions. Thanks to prefab construction, standardisation and digital controls, we can combine speed with both quality and safety. This collaboration with TenneT shows that we can really work faster together.”
What is a high-voltage switching field?
A high-voltage switching field is an essential part of a high-voltage substation. This is where electricity is switched, secured and distributed to various connections in the high-voltage substation. Each switching field connects high-voltage rails to specific connections, such as underground cables, transformers or another high-voltage connection. The switching field contains various primary components, such as switches, earthing installations and safety systems, which ensure the safe, reliable and stable operation of the grid. A high-voltage substation can be seen as the meter box for a region. The switching fields are like the groups in a meter box connecting the largest power consumers and the electricity substations of regional grid operators.
Martijn van de Koolwijk
Spokesperson