Visible impact
The overhead cables and old poles disappear, and the townscape becomes tidy.
Network reconstruction
We replace outdated cables with new underground cables in protective ducting, and the old concrete and wooden poles with modern lamp posts.
We experience this every day:
- power outages
- darkened public lighting
- internet outages
Comes with greater operational reliability
Once the investment is completed, power and internet outages are significantly reduced.
Helps wildlife
Underground cables mean birds are not electrocuted, and trees no longer need to be cut back because of the wires.
The same scheme
With no municipal funding, no risk, and a sound technical basis.
Featured project
Kandó: GREP’s largest project to date
A joint network reconstruction across municipalities: overhead lines go underground in protective ducting, and old poles give way to modern lamp posts. It is financed through a concession model with EU funding, with no municipal funds.
The project has its own site for investors and partners.
Concession model
How is it carried out with no municipal funding?
The network reconstruction is financed not by the municipality but by the concessionaire selected through public procurement, drawing on EU funding.
- 1
Municipalities join forces
Several municipalities together reach the scale required for EU funding and capital.
- 2
Concession procurement
For the use of public land for cable ducting; the winning concessionaire bears the entire financing risk.
- 3
Accession agreement
The concession coordinator has already been selected, so a municipality only needs to join. The winning bidder also pays the financial advisors' fees.
- 4
Construction and operation
Underground cable in protective ducting, new lamp posts, to the technical standard also required by the distribution licensee.
Why now?
A future-proof network instead of a cable jungle
A cable jungle in municipalities
Power, public lighting, telephone, cable TV and camera systems all on one pole.
More and more outages
Extreme weather hits overhead cables first.
EU recommendation
The EU recommends underground cable networks for climate-resilient infrastructure.
Renewables and energy communities
A modern network can accommodate local solar power generation.
Lower network losses
Fewer faults, faster repairs, better service.
A tidier townscape
It also increases tourism appeal and property value.
Frequently asked questions
What municipalities usually ask
How much does this cost the municipality?
The investment and the acquisition of EU funding are carried out and financed by the concessionaire, including compensation for the current network owner; the municipality grants the right to use public land.
Who selects the contractor?
A concession tender, issued jointly by the municipalities, decides. The winning bidder bears the financing risk.
What happens to the old poles and overhead cables?
We remove them. The cables go underground in protective ducting, and the luminaires are placed on new lamp posts.
Can a small municipality join on its own?
Yes, through an accession agreement. The required scale is provided by the alliance already in place.
