Prysmian & E.ON's Procurement: Energising Energy Transition
Prysmian and E.ON, who are helping to drive the green energy transition across Europe, are working together to transform the power grids into greener and more efficient networks.
The pair are creating a long-term framework agreement for low and medium voltage cables which will be integrated into the German grid to support the expansion of wind and solar – as well as the roll-out of electric vehicles and heat pumps and the connection of battery storage systems and data centres.
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 Euro investment modernises German infrastructure
This agreement is part of a major procurement initiative launched by E.ON and is worth more than €6bn (approx US$6.9bn) to help modernise Germany's power grid and accelerate 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."
With this energy transition, a large quantity of materials is needed, more than 500,000 km of cables.
It is expected this will be used by 2045 for the expansion and modernisation of the German grid.
The amount of cable would be able to stretch around the earth 12.5 times, with the significant amount of materials like aluminium, copper and polyethylene, which can be made more sustainable through technical innovation.
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."
Sustainability focus drives innovation and local production
Prysmian and E.ON are putting their forces together to focus strongly on taking strides towards sustainability by harnessing climate-friendly materials and leveraging production in Europe, mainly in Prysmian's plants located in Germany (Schwerin), Hungary (Balassagyarmat) and Romania (Slatina).
Prysmian incorporates up to 50% premium recycled polyethylene in cable outer sheaths, cutting carbon emissions by as much as 80% versus new materials.
The company sources approximately 80% of its aluminium from low-carbon production facilities. Furthermore, local renewable energy sources including solar photovoltaic systems and biogas power the manufacturing process 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."
