The 380KV-Ems-Overhead Powerline Crossing is a power line crossing for two circuits on the Ems River South of Weener, Germany. It is mounted on two 84 metre tall pylons with two crossbars. The length of the span is 405 metres.[1]
The crossing is an obstacle for ships built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg. Although the ships can pass beneath the line, the clearance is often so close that the line has to be switched off.[2] When this procedure was followed on November 4, 2006, in order to let the vessel Norwegian Pearl pass, a large blackout occurred in many parts of Europe. According to official reports, this was caused because of the switching off of this line. Nevertheless the switching off of the line for the second planned transition of the vessel on November 6, 2006 occurred without any problems.