Wintrack pylon

Year

2011

Organisation

TenneT

Description

TenneT has developed a new kind of pylon, which was implemented for the first time for the Randstad380 project. Since then, wintrack pylon has been used in the Randstad 380 kV South and North Ring projects and in the Doetinchem-Wesel project.

Highlights

  • Innovative new pylon
  • Minimalist design
  • Unobtrusive presence in the landscape
  • Smaller magnetic field zone
  • Flexible in use
  • Low maintenance

About the practice

The wintrack pylon is made from pairs of slender poles in white-grey. It is designed to blend in with the natural landscape scenery better than traditional pylons. Since the pylon does not have broad arms on which the different cables are placed, the width of electromagnetic fields under the line can be reduced by up to one third.

Furthermore, by suspending the wires as close together as possible, the magnetic field zone can be reduced in size by more than 60 percent. This makes it possible to construct new electricity connections in a responsible way, with minimal impact on the landscape and local residents.

Updated design

The Wintrack II pylon was introduced in 2017 as an enhanced version of the original design, which is also partially made of concrete, reducing costs. Building and designing of the Wintrack II pylon was awarded to a consortium consisting of Heijmans and Europoles. For assembly of the conductors, i.e. the 'hanging' of the electricity lines in the pylons, TenneT has selected multi-engineering service provider SPIE Nederland. However, the project was canceled in 2018 due to design issues.

In 2020, with an internally conceptualised design, TenneT opened a new tender process. Constructions have been developed since then and the first pylons were installed in beginning of 2021. The project is scheduled to go into operation in 2023. And the new design is build to be able to sustain strong winds and earthquakes, considering it will be implemented in Groningen, an area susceptible to such events.

RGI gratefully acknowledges the EU LIFE funding support:

EU LIFE funding support Logo

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the LIFE Programme. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.