Content of the study
In recent decades, both the maintenance and expansion of pipe and cable networks in Germany have been neglected, driven by tight budgets, high regulatory barriers and, above all, growing undercapacity in the planning and execution of projects in recent years. This contrasts with the exorbitant demand for new infrastructure, which is urgently needed for the energy transition and the digitalisation of Germany.
While this is mainly driven by the expansion of fibre optics and power lines in the cable line segment, the drivers in pipeline construction are more diverse. On the one hand, the energy transition requires a considerable expansion of district heating and gas networks; on the other hand, drinking water and wastewater pipes need to be repaired and replaced in order to halt the sharp increase in water loss in the ageing German network.
In this brief study, S&B Strategy has analysed the challenges and possible solutions for the next 10 years in pipeline and cable underground construction. To this end, the market was quantified by segment and, on the basis of S&B databases and expert interviews, differentiation potentials in the competition and fields of action for manufacturers and investors were identified.
PLEASE NOTE: The study is currently only available in German.