You can submit a connection request or feasibility study to our services at any time via the myCreos customer portal. However, we strongly recommend that you submit your complete application before the start date of the work.

Any person or company involved in your project can submit a connection request via our myCreos customer portal. However, a connection request sometimes requires technical information to be provided to the grid operator. We therefore recommend that your electrician submits the request.

Depending on the type of request and your location, Creos will ask you to provide a certain number of documents before submitting your request via the myCreos platform.
Here is the list of documents required for each type of request:
 

*only for connections with an amperage >40A

If a person involved in a connection project does not have an Internet connection or an e-mail address, the person making the request - e.g. your electrician - can enter their own e-mail address instead. Please note, however, that if you do not have Internet access or an e-mail address, you will not be able to access the progress of your project or to the key stages in the process.

There are 3 types of appointment for a connection request:

• The initial appointment
  During the first visit, Creos will plan the technical preparations for your new connection with you and your electrician.
• The inspection appointment
  During the second on-site visit, Creos checks the preparatory work carried out by your electrician.
• The appointment for the execution
  Once the preparatory work has been validated, Creos will carry out the requested work within 30 days.

Depending on the type of request chosen and certain parameters defined in your request (accelerated procedure, event connection, etc.), not all 3 appointments are compulsory. You will be informed by Creos in writing as soon as you can make an appointment.

As soon as an initialor inspection appointment can scheduled, you will be invited by e-mail to contact us on 2624-2624 to arrange an appointment with one of our technical experts.

If your file is eligible for an appointment, the nearest regional centre will contact you directly.

The Creos service catalogue is a document that is revised every year by the ILR (Institut Luxembourgeois de Régulation) and published on our website. This document lists all the services provided by the network operator and the corresponding prices. 

If the price deviates from the standard service catlogue due to technical criteria or the size of the project (max. 5 connections with 40A each), you will receive a customised offer from us after the pilot appointment. This must be signed and returned by you.

Unfortunately, it's not possible to give a completion date when you submit your connection request. In fact, the time required to process a connection request will depend on the type of request submitted, the progress of the work carried out by your electrician, and our ability to schedule control or inspection appointments as quickly as possible.

As the electricity network operator, Creos is responsible for the development and maintenance of the public network, right up to the meter in your home. To find out whether your electrical installation (behind the meter) complies with current standards, please contact a licensed electrician in Luxembourg. We would also like to inform you that the reference documents for the technical standards are available on our website.

If you want to install a charging station or a production unit (photovoltaic panels), we advise you to contact your electrician, who will carry out an initial analysis of the conformity of your installation. Once yu have defined the equipment to be installed and its technical characteristics, you or your electrician can submit a connection request via the myCreos platform.

The inspection is carried out exclusively outdoors, and does not involve the installation inside your home or building. As a result, our agent does not need to enter your home, and you do not have to be present if your property is accessible.

You do not need to make an appointment and you do not need to be present on the day of the inspection.

Connection inspections are not carried out on a fixed date. Inspections cover several municipalities and are staggered over a period of several months.

Equipped with a GPS and an ultra-sensitive gas detection device, our agents inspect the tightness of the network by following the route of the gas pipes metre by metre on foot. Any anomaly or leak, however small, is thus reported and, if necessary, quickly repaired.

No, no earthworks, drilling or roadworks are required.

The valves located on the public highway are among the elements inspected by Creos. The gas installation inside your home is not inspected. Some connections are not fitted with a valve.

The pipes of the natural gas network are about 1 metre underground. In the event of a leak, the natural gas will find its way to the surface. The gas detector used is fitted with a pump that sucks air from the ground and analyses the presence of natural gas. The device is linked to a tablet on which the data is recorded and synchronised with a database, providing precise, geolocalised monitoring of the areas inspected and the results obtained.

The purpose of the checks is to detect any gas leaks and to visually check that no buildings or deep-rooted plantations are located above a gas pipe. Periodic checks are carried out to ensure the safety of local residents and customers connected to the Creos natural gas network.

Under the Grand-Ducal regulation of 27 February 2010 on gas installations, the user of a gas installation must have the installation serviced every four years by a professional authorised to carry out this type of work.

Deep-rooted planting is not permitted.

If access to the site is not possible, Creos agents will leave a notice in your letterbox and arrange a later appointment.

Yes. Although it is uncommon, there may be some interference between PLC (power line communication) signals and touch-sensitive lamps. Where this does occur, it usually affects touch-sensitive lamps that do not have an in-built filter and, as a result, are more prone to such interference, which may also be caused by other electronic equipment.

Please note Article 9.3.4 of our technical requirements for connecting heavy-current installations with a maximum rated voltage of 1000V, which states that: “… it is the responsibility of the user of such electrical equipment to ensure that such disturbances are avoided by employing suitable technical means.”

To nevertheless reduce the impact of PLC signals on your touch lamps:

• we can provide you with a free plug-in filter with a maximum power of 250W, which you place between the socket and the lamp’s plug;
• or we would advise buying 63A filters, which are installed directly in the circuit after your meter, to filter and prevent any disturbances to your equipment caused by the power grid. These filters must be installed by an electrician.

A smart meter incorporates advanced technologies that enable the precise measurement and recording of your energy consumption and/or production (electricity, natural gas, district heating) or water and transmits this meter reading data over long distances via the existing electricity network.

Smart meters are required for better control of the flow of electricity whilst taking production and consumption on low- and medium-voltage networks into account. In particular, smart meters will improve management of decentralised generation and electromobility, technologies that are consistently expanding and play a significant role in the move towards alternate energy sources.

Creos is legally obliged to install a smart meter on the premises of all customers connected to its network. The meter is Creos’s property, and Creos has to ensure its proper functioning and maintenance. The new meters have to be installed to guarantee the safety and reliability of the electricity and gas networks in the future, especially given the increase in decentralised production installations.

Because the meter is already the distribution system operator’s property, in accordance with Art. 29(6) of the Electricity Act and Art. 35(6) of the Gas Act, the operator is “entitled to access the measurement points, connection points and connection equipment of the generators and customers connected to the network which it manages; this so that it may check meter readings and carry out all repairs, undertake fault clearance and perform checks of the connections and meters.” Except in emergencies, distribution system operators will contact the customer in advance and make an appointment with the customer to access the meter.

Yes. Smart meters enable your energy consumption and/or production to be read remotely without the need for a technician to visit your property.

Creos is the network operator and also the owner of the meter. Therefore, the company can read the meter, make updates to the software, collect meter reading data and events, and can also control the two relays that are integrated into the electricity meter. Only those devices connected to the built-in relays (e.g. a hot-water tank) can be controlled remotely.

The main technology used to transfer data is transmission via the electricity network (power line carriers). The meters can communicate with the network manager via this network and vice versa – this is known as bi-directional communication. GPRS is used as an alternative solution for sites that are further away. In any case, a single signal is sent only once every 15 minutes. Natural gas and, where applicable, water and city heat consumption data is transmitted through the electricity meter.

No. To ensure your consumption data is secure during transfer, it will be encrypted before being sent to the central system managed by Luxmetering.

The algorithms we use meet the highest standards applicable to secure communications.

Meter readings are recorded by Creos multiple times per day and transferred to your energy supplier on a daily basis. Your privacy is guaranteed, as the use of the data is only permitted for clearly defined purposes.

The National Commission for Data Protection (CNPD) was informed about the data protection measures to be taken and about the choice of technology used as part of this national project.

By default, Smarty, your intelligent electricity meter, will show the most important values, changing every 5 seconds. To read your consumption data manually, briefly press the green button. To consult the different values and manually switch to the next one, briefly press the green button again. Each value (index) is identified by a code. The code 1.8.0, for example, gives you the total active energy consumption in kilowatts per hour. Furthermore, in future, you will also be able to connect an external display or a smart home system to display and process your data in real time.

OBIS codes in automatic or manual model:
 

Your consumption data will be collected several times a day through the national central system managed by Luxmetering GIE, an economic interest group formed by the electricity and gas networks operators. Your data is transmitted to your energy supplier daily. May we remind you that the network operator builds and runs electricity and/or natural gas networks and that the supplier buys and resells energy and associated services.

Your network operator, electricity and/or gas supplier and, where applicable, a service provider designated by you will all have access to your data. The legal framework defines exactly what purposes this data may be processed for and ensures that your data is not passed on to third parties without consent.

The National Commission for Data Protection (CNPD) has been liaising with the network operators throughout the project for the generalised installation of smart meters in Luxembourg.

The current reading of the meter (“Index” or “Zählerstand”) is sent to the central system at 15-minute intervals in the case of electricity meters and at hourly intervals in the case of gas meters. There it is recorded and stored for a period of up to 15 years. Information about incidents relating to the quality of energy supply, e.g. power cuts, power surges and technical faults with the meter, is sent to the central system and used by Luxmetering and the network operators for operational purposes.

If you are connected to the natural gas network, your gas meter will be directly linked to your electricity meter. Thus, your Data will be securely transferred to your smart electricity meter and, finally, to your energy supplier.

Smart meters can communicate with the distribution system operator (DSO) and vice versa. This is known as two-way communication. Metered electricity consumption data is recorded at fifteen-minute intervals, while natural gas data is recorded hourly at the level of the smart meter itself. Smart meters contain a circuit-breaker as well as two built-in relays that can be controlled by the network operator. The circuit-breaker controls the maximum contractual power and enables prepayment functions. The built-in relays can control a hot-water tank, for example. A socket (RJ12 connection) is also available to which a remote display can be connected so that you can follow your electricity and gas consumption in real time.

Luxmetering’s database does not contain information about customers. All this information is stored securely at high-security data centres on servers belonging to Luxmetering or with the network operators and suppliers. It never leaves the country. Data transfer is encrypted systematically from the meter to the supplier. The Internet is never used in any part of this communication chain.

The Scenario Report 2040 shows that the electricity network needs to be strengthened and extended to meet the country's growing demand for electricity. The project therefore aims to ensure that the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has a forward-looking energy supply, taking into account the country's demographic and economic development. We also want to enable new customers in the electromobility, renewable energy and digital economy sectors to be connected to the electricity grid without hindrance.

The European integration of very high voltage is also of great importance to Luxembourg. We see this as a decisive step in the development of the European energy market, from which all Member States benefit. Efficient European connections not only contribute to the cross-border exchange of electricity. A modern, high-performance electricity grid is also needed to balance regional fluctuations in renewable energy production (*).

(*) https://www.netzausbau.de/wissenswertes/warum/de.html

The network development plans are constantly updated to take account of changes in the load, but also by continually monitoring the markets and new technologies. The first network analyses and plans for the project date back to 2015. These analyses, which also looked at the European network as a whole, suggest that a 380 kV connection is appropriate.

At European level, the project has been included in ENTSO-E's ten-year network development plan "TYNDP" under the identifier "Project 328 - DE-LUX Interconnector", and in Germany BNetzA has confirmed the project under the number "P406" in the German network development plan.

Finally, network expansion is also part of the 2018 coalition agreement between the governing parties. They emphasise that the expansion of the electricity grid is necessary "in order to maintain or even extend the country's security of supply and to ensure optimum integration into the European energy market (*)".

(*) https://gouvernement.lu/de/publications/accord-coalition/2018-2023.html

The Creos network in Luxembourg and the Amprion network in Germany belong to the same bidding zone, so it makes sense to link Luxembourg to the German network. This will avoid price differences between the two networks.
In the interconnection of European networks, the 380 kV voltage level is used for the major energy transmission lines and for interconnections between different countries. Energy flows are regulated at supra-regional level in the interconnected Northern European grid by the German transmission system operator Amprion.

In addition, we also looked into a connection to the Belgian grid Elia, but an extension of capacity towards Germany proved more appropriate. Creos is already using an existing line via a phase-shifting transformer.

Extensive improvement measures will considerably relieve the central part of the country, in particular the Alzette valley, and the north-east of the country by dismantling or burying lines. The new construction of around 50 km of lines with 170 pylons will be offset by the dismantling of 75 km of lines with 225 pylons. Here are the details: 

• Dismantling the existing high-voltage line on the Heisdorf-Trèves/Quint section (Germany): 85 masts, 29 km of overhead lines (on Luxembourg territory).
• Dismantling of the existing high-voltage line on the Heisdorf-Bertrange section: 34 masts, 11 km of overhead lines.
• Dismantling the existing high-voltage line on the Heisdorf-Roost section between Heisdorf and Lorentzweiler: 15 masts, 5 km of overhead lines.
• Dismantling the existing high-voltage line on the Heisdorf-Dommeldange section: 11 masts, 3.4 km of overhead lines.
• Dismantling the two existing high-voltage lines on the Heisdorf-Kirchberg section: 32 masts, 11 km of overhead lines.
• Dismantling the existing transformer station at Dommeldange.
• Dismantling of the existing Heisdorf facility, where a compact, modern indoor facility requiring less space will be built.
• Burying the Junglinster-Potaschberg high-voltage overhead line, where 39 masts and 13 km of overhead lines will be removed.
• Burial of the existing high-voltage line on the Kirchberg-Findel section: 9 masts and 3 km of overhead lines.

The communities concerned will also benefit from the project, as the new infrastructure will be better integrated into the landscape.

The project will increase energy efficiency, as the 380 kV lines will reduce electricity losses due to transmission.

Networks are important to ensure the safe transmission of energy and to guarantee the subsequent transmission of surplus energy from renewable electricity production. This helps to reduce "forwarding costs". Ultimately, this also benefits consumers.

Finally, the expansion of the grid will also provide the green energy needed for sustainable electromobility (*). This is particularly important for reducing CO₂ emissions.

(*) www.netzausbau.de/wissenswertes/warum/de.html

The current infrastructure is already saturated and will reach its limits in the near future. Studies show that, even assuming a small increase in load per year, additional transmission capacity to neighbouring countries will have to be created in the medium and long term. This is the only way to import the energy needed to cover the load on the Creos network.

This conclusion is reinforced by current economic developments. For example, we are currently assuming an increase in load of around 70% by 2033 compared with today. The context, in addition to an expected increase in load due to electromobility, also includes the establishment of new large industrial consumers, although these are not the main driver (1).

The current coalition agreement also states:
"Tomorrow's energy will be renewable and, above all, electric, so that the electromobility revolution and the increasing digitalisation of our world can become a reality (2)". If one line fails, the remaining line alone can no longer guarantee the transmission of future demand for electricity.

(1) https://meco.gouvernement.lu/dam-assets/publications/rapport-etude-analyse/minist-economie/domaine-energie/bericht-versorgungssicherheit-im-strombereich-luxemburg-2018/Bericht-uber-die-Versorgungssicherheit-im-Strombereich-in-Luxemburg-2018.pdf

(2) https://gouvernement.lu/de/publications/accord-coalition/2018-2023.html

We currently assume that the grid extension project will not have a negative impact on electricity prices for end consumers. In the long term, an efficient, well-connected and intelligent European energy market may even have a positive effect on electricity prices.

Creos is aware of its responsibility to protect nature and the environment in all its activities, and places great emphasis on sustainability in the construction and maintenance of technical infrastructure and administrative buildings.

In accordance with the law, Creos has entrusted the task of carrying out environmental impact assessments to a firm of independent, accredited experts under the supervision of the Ministry of the Environment. These studies essentially consist of an inspection of the area where the works are to be carried out. It takes into account people and their habitat, i.e. built-up areas with their extensions and workplaces, i.e. business parks, and their possible future development. It also looks at infrastructure and, very importantly, it takes into account our environment, nature, including wildlife.

For many years, Creos has used alternative construction measures wherever possible, to avoid imposing an additional burden on the available space and to keep the ecological footprint as small as possible. When dismantling old power lines, materials are recycled wherever possible and foundations are completely removed.

For example, for waste generated during the construction and maintenance of the lines, Creos carries out strict waste sorting and disposal in accordance with the regulations of the Luxembourg Ministry of the Environment. In addition, Creos also participates in the SuperDrecksKëscht™ programme. This programme is an important part of modern waste management in Luxembourg and helps to avoid or reduce problematic substances.

When maintaining the route of a line, trees and bushes are cut back as far-sightedly and purposefully as possible. Finally, Creos relies on ecological supervision of construction and even has biotope management plans drawn up by external experts in certain cases.

People's health is of the utmost importance to Creos and is the focus of attention in all its construction projects. A sense of responsibility and reliability are at the heart of everything we do together. Our work always meets the latest safety requirements.

All infrastructures are doubly secured by Creos. For example, overhead line cables are fixed to masts using multiple-insulated chains. The perimeters of existing and future buildings are avoided. New overhead lines and high-voltage installations are built outside development zones.

To date, scientific studies have been unable to prove a causal link between electric or magnetic fields from power lines and damage to human health. The intensity of electric and magnetic fields decreases with distance from the lines. Creos always respects the legal limits and will take into account the necessary distances between new lines and built-up areas. The World Health Organisation's precautionary values for radiation protection, which are also the basis for European regulations and Luxembourg authorisations, apply to emissions of electric and magnetic fields.

The noise likely to be generated during the transport of energy in conductor cables or by transformers is technically reduced so that no additional noise pollution is caused for residents. We attach great importance to this. We comply with all the permitted guide values for noise levels in residential areas. In principle, we use low-noise equipment.

When building overhead lines, construction activity is reduced to the location of the mast. Here too, we want to minimise disruption to residents as much as possible.

Creos respects all applicable laws, including minimum distances, in all network extension projects. These minimum distances are specified in public permits or depend on the development plans of the respective municipalities. In addition, we take particular account of European standard DIN-EN 50341, which lays down binding rules for design and construction requirements.

The planning process takes more than seven years in total. This allows us to take proper account of all concerns (such as the interests of local residents) and minimise risks (safety, environmental protection, funding, etc.).

Implementation then takes around four years. Given these long periods, it is all the more important to provide information at an early stage and to take the necessary measures in good time so as not to jeopardise Luxembourg's future security of supply.

One of the reasons for this long lead time is that Creos focuses on ecological and safety monitoring of the construction, and those affected (e.g. citizens, forest rangers or communities) are also involved in the implementation. The construction measures themselves are carried out by selected external specialist companies. Creos relies on long-established partnerships with experienced companies.

As part of the environmental impact assessment studies that have just been carried out, options and variants have been studied, and the option of an underground line or an overhead line has also been addressed. Of course, the studies also include a description of the structures, such as the pylons. They will list the impacts as well as the advantages and disadvantages.

Creos is currently planning an overhead line.

The environmental impact assessment studies analysed several possible locations for the transformer station, 5 of which are to the east of Bofferdange and 1 to the west of Altlinster. A possible concept and a description of the substation components are also included. When the project was launched, a substation with a 380 kV overhead section was presented at the scoping stage. In the meantime, the concept has evolved and all parts of the substation have been integrated into 3 buildings, with only the transformers remaining under the open sky. The location has not yet been definitively determined.