Rhein-Main-Link project sparks environmental concerns over energy transition trade-offs
The energy transition is a priority for City Councilor Nils Kraft and Mayor Lisa Gößwein, but they urge a careful examination of the impact of the Rhein-Main-Link project on local ecosystems and agriculture. The city of Rüsselsheim am Main has already expressed concerns about the preferred corridor.
The proposed corridors for the Rhein-Main-Link project cross several municipalities in the Groß-Gerau district, including Rüsselsheim am Main. The city has demanded a transparent assessment of alternative routes, as the preferred corridor is rejected. Marburg, another affected municipality, submitted a statement in 2024 regarding a preferred route variant during the initial public consultation.
Grid expansion projects like the Rhein-Main-Link are crucial for transporting wind energy from northern Germany to the rest of the country. However, the construction project will significantly fragment the landscape, creating barriers to animal migration and severing existing biotope structures. Once completed, the underground cables will occupy a width of around 40 meters, preventing deep-rooted plants and trees from being grown above them. During construction, four cables will be laid in an open trench system spanning approximately 80 meters in width, requiring temporary groundwater level lowering. The impact on the water balance, both during construction and afterward, cannot currently be assessed, and additional effects may arise from the expected heat generated by the cables underground.
The city proposes establishing a technical working group to ensure its position is actively incorporated into the planning process. With the first sections of the Rhein-Main-Link project scheduled to go into operation as early as 2033, a thorough examination of the route's impact is essential to mitigate potential environmental damage.
