Projects for the construction of high-voltage lines that are designated as transnational or cross-border are subject to federal sectoral planning. In this process, the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) examines whether the implementation of the project in a route corridor conflicts with public or private interests.

You have three opportunities to formally participate in the federal sectoral planning process:

• The first important opportunity is the public application conference. This is held by the Federal Network Agency after it has received the application for federal sectoral planning. The project developers prepare the application beforehand. At the conference, the Federal Network Agency gathers information on the regional circumstances. Anyone who has alternatives to the proposed corridors can also submit them to the application conference. The Federal Network Agency also receives comments on environmental and spatial compatibility. This information is then used to draw up a homework booklet for the project developers, the so-called study framework.
• The next opportunity for participation is a public authority and public participation. This will take place after the developer has completed its investigations. The Federal Network Agency publishes information on the interpretation on its website.
  • Website
  • and the local daily newspapers.
• You can submit comments as a private individual, as an association or as a public body. Public authorities are, for example, municipal authorities.
• After the Federal Network Agency has received and reviewed all the comments, it organises a hearing. This is the third and last opportunity to participate in the federal sectoral planning process. At the hearing, the Federal Network Agency discusses the comments submitted in good time with the developer, the public interest groups and those who submitted them. In contrast to the application conference, private individuals can only participate in this meeting if they have submitted a statement.