Rhine crossing A-Nord: egeplast Power Protect pipes secure the DC route beneath the dike and the Rhine

In the district of Kleve, Amprion reached another milestone in August 2025 as part of the construction of the A-Nord DC connection: the Rhine crossing between Rees (Haffen) and Xanten (Obermörmter). A key component of this project is cable protection pipes that protect and permanently secure the future energy connection in the ground. egeplast Power Protect PE-RT pipes were used.

For the Rhine crossing as part of the construction of the A-Nord route, a solution was required that could withstand high mechanical loads during installation as well as provide long-term protection in the dike and river area. egeplast Power Protect PE-RT pipes d 315 × 43.1 mm (SDR 7.4) were used in a total length of 4,512 meters, supplemented by transition pieces to connect the siphon to the landfall at the dike.

Before pull-in: pipe delivery and precise preparatory work

In major projects like this, precise timing and perfect coordination among all parties involved play a particularly important role. The pipe deliveries took place from June to early July 2025. Before the actual installation, welding work on the dike was initially required to prepare the subsequent construction phases.

Special challenges: river, dike and forces of several tonnes

On 2025-08-14, years of planning paid off and the complex crossing of the Rhine was carried out smoothly. The protection pipes were installed using open-cut construction, for which an enormous cable trench was excavated through both dikes as well as through the Rhine itself.

For the trench through the Rhine, an approximately 5 m-deep channel was created using dredging vessels. The cable protection pipes were pulled in with the aid of a siphon, whose dimensions are impressive: the siphon sled used is approx. 560 m long and wide enough to secure eight cable protection pipes next to each other on it. The enormous size of the sled was required to bridge the full width of the Rhine and explains the system weight of around 574 tonnes. Using a pulling winch with a maximum pulling force of 300 t, the cable protection pipes were then pulled in—an effort that took around four hours.

This milestone was accompanied by an on-site information event. A wagon ride along the Rhine gave participants and guests the opportunity to experience the construction site up close and gain insights into the logistical processes and the dimensions of the Rhine crossing.

Infrastructure project with high visibility

The Rhine crossing of the A-Nord connection shows how complex energy infrastructure projects are implemented through the interplay of planning, construction methods and robust system components. “The cable protection pipes used make an important contribution to protecting the route in the sensitive dike and river area over the long term,” says Thomas Gross, Managing Director Hülskens Wasserbau GmbH & Co. KG.