Major construction site on the Neckar: Gas pipeline secures the energy future for the region

Major construction site on the Neckar: Gas pipeline secures the energy future for the region

In the region around Ludwigsburg, the construction of the South German natural gas pipeline (SEL) is increasingly taking shape. This important infrastructure measure is intended to ensure the gas supply from Hesse via Baden-Württemberg to Bavaria. The total length of the SEL is 250 kilometers, with construction work currently underway between Löchgau and Esslingen. A particular focus is on the technical challenge of crossing the Neckar, which is particularly complex due to the steep slopes in the region. Stuttgart News reports that a special deflection construction is necessary for laying the line.

A so-called culvert is already ready to be used for the Neckar crossing, which is scheduled to open in October 2025. During this time, shipping on the Neckar will have to be suspended to ensure safe passage. In addition, the Neckartal cycle path between Ludwigsburg and Benningen has been closed since July 2025 and will remain closed until December 2025. The police will regularly monitor the construction site area as people repeatedly disregard the barriers.

Future developments and schedule

Commissioning of the construction section between Löchgau and Esslingen is scheduled for mid-2026. At the same time, work is also underway on the Heidelberg-Heilbronn route. Half of the natural gas network is expected to be put into operation by the end of 2026. Further sections, including from Esslingen to Bissingen and from Lampertheim to Heidelberg, are planned until the end of 2028 or the beginning of the 2030s. The total cost of the project is around one billion euros.

In addition to the short and medium-term use of natural gas, the SEL is also being prepared for hydrogen transport. From 2030, the line will transport hydrogen to Baden-Württemberg, which was originally planned for 2035. The Neckarenztal pipeline is already being designed for hydrogen transport, which is seen as an important step in supporting the energy transition. Information from the Bietigheim newspaper also show that the section of the Neckarenztal pipeline will be around 24 kilometers long and will run from Heilbronn through various cities to Löchgau.

Renaturation and environmental measures

In addition to the construction of the natural gas pipelines, the Terranets company began renaturation work during the construction phase. These include the restoration of all paths along the gas pipeline, the planting of trees and the construction of dry stone walls. These measures are intended to continue after commissioning and are an important aspect of minimizing the environmental impact of the project.