The cables will be integrated into the German grid to support the expansion of wind and solar, the roll-out of electric vehicles and heat pumps, and the connection of battery storage systems and data centres.

The agreement forms part of a major procurement initiative launched by E.ON and is worth more than €6 billion to help modernise Germany’s power grid and accelerate the country’s energy transition.

The energy transition requires more than 500 000 km of cables to be used by 2045 for the expansion and modernisation of the German grid – a distance that would stretch 12.5 times around the Earth – with the use of a significant amount of materials like aluminium, copper, and polyethylene, which can be made more sustainable through technical innovation.

Prysmian and E.ON’s joint efforts focus strongly on taking steps towards sustainability by using climate-friendly materials and leveraging production in Europe, mainly in Prysmian’s plants located in Schwerin (Germany), Balassagyarmat (Hungary), and Slatina (Romania).

Cables, for their outer sheath, use up to 50% high-quality recycled polyethylene (PE) that has a reduced carbon footprint by up to 80% compared to virgin material. Additionally, around 80% of the aluminium used by Prysmian comes from carbon dioxide-reduced production. Last but not least is the use of local energy solutions such as photovoltaics or biogas for a sustainable production process.

Cinzia Farisè, EVP Power Grid Prysmian, commented: “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.”

Marcello Del Brenna, CEO Prysmian Europe, added: “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.”

Benjamin Ferlay, Europe R&D SVP at Prysmian, continued: “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.”

Lisbeth Buschkühl, Chief Procurement Officer at E.ON, concluded: “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.”

For more news and technical articles from the global renewable industry, read the latest issue of Energy Global magazine.

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Read the article online at: https://www.energyglobal.com/solar/23072025/prysmian-and-eon-join-forces-in-the-development-of-more-efficient-power-grids/