EN - Emission-free cable transport for major maintenance Zwanenburgbaan Schiphol

Draka and BAM contribute to making Schiphol more sustainable

17/01/2023 - 12:00 AM

Recently, a pilot of Draka, part of Prysmian Group, started with emission-free transport and there is already an impressive sequel. The cable manufacturer supplies 50 km of Prysmian P-Laser cable with emission-free heavy transport for the renewal of the cable connections of the Zwanenburgbaan at Schiphol. This electric transport saves a total of no less than 881 kg of CO2 emissions.

Schiphol's ambition is to be waste-free and emission-free by 2030. That is why Schiphol takes all kinds of sustainability measures, such as during major maintenance on the Zwanenburgbaan. To renew the grid connections of this runway, 50 km of the most durable medium-voltage cable ( P-Laser ) is supplied with a unique electric heavy transport to BAM at Schiphol.

10 Cable transports
On Tuesday December 13, Breytner B.V. transports the first 10 full reels with an electric truck combination from the cable factory in Delft to the hub of BAM at Schiphol. Two transports were required to deliver 10 km of cable. With each transport, loading was sufficient once at a loading station in Hoofddorp. The emission-free transports are precisely tailored to the project planning of BAM Energie & Water. The remaining 8 transports will take place in January and February to deliver another 40 km of cable.


Medium voltage cables for Zwanenburgbaan
Emissions-free transport is one of many projects that are carried out to make the airport more sustainable. BAM Energie & Water is currently renewing and upgrading the grid connection for the Zwanenburgbaan with 100% Prysmian P-Laser medium voltage cables. When Draka, part of Prysmian Group, proposed to transport the already durable cables electrically, there was rapid agreement with BAM Energie & Water. Both companies are constantly looking for opportunities to accelerate sustainability with innovations. The cable and transport choice fit in perfectly with that aim.

Score in durability
Emission-free cable transports for tonnages from 20 to 25 tons have only recently been carried out by Prysmian Group. However, the switch from diesel transports to electrically heavy transport appears to be logistically adaptable and results in a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. The 10 transports to Schiphol alone save a total of at least 881 kg CO2 emissions. In addition, the production of P-Laser cable, thanks to a cleaner processing process, results in an additional 10 percent CO2 reduction per kilometer of cable. In addition, the insulation of P-Laser, and depending on the structure even the entire cable, is 100 percent recyclable. 


Scaling up to the utility and construction sector
With the P-Laser cable deliveries for Schiphol, the organization wants to show how decarbonisation options do not have to be limited to products and / or production processes only. Sustainability can also be scored in other phases of a cable's life cycle, such as transport. By working with chain partners such as BAM, we expect to accelerate the transition to emission-free heavy transport in the construction and utility sector. Grid operators and industrial companies have also shown interest in emission-free cable transports.