Ems powerline crossing

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The 380kV-Ems-Overhead Powerline Crossing is a power line crossing for two circuits on the Ems River South of Weener. It is mounted on two 84 meter tall pylons with two crossbars. The length of the span is 405 meters.^[1]

The crossing is an obstacle for ships built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg. Although the ships can pass beneath the line, the distance is often so close that the line has to be switched off.^[2] As this procedure was made on November 4th, 2006, in order to let the vessel Norwegian Pearl I pass, a large blackout occurred in many parts of Europe. According to official reports, this was caused because of the switch off of this line. Nevertheless the switch off of the line at the second planned transition of the vessel on November 6th, 2006 occurred without any problems.