Key infrastructure for climate neutrality and value creation in North Germany

Schleswig-Holstein’s infrastructure keeps North Germany connected. Major motorways like the A1 and A7 strengthen the north-south axis, while our close proximity to Hamburg opens doors to both German and global markets via every possible transport route. With over €400 million in planned investments, our transport infrastructure is set to tackle current challenges and boost connectivity across the region. 
 
As part of the Trans-European Transport Network, Schleswig-Holstein is strategically linked through the Scandinavian-Mediterranean and North Sea-Baltic corridors. Projects like the Fehmarn Belt Tunnel promise a new era of sustainable transport: by 2029 through reducing travel times between Denmark and Germany and becoming a vital part of Europe’s green transport future. 
 
Important transport routes in Schleswig-Holstein: 

• Kiel Canal, the world's most frequented artifical waterway, connecting the Baltic and the North Sea 
• A7 - the north-south motorway through the state  
• Fehmarn Belt Tunnel (under construction) - shorter travel times between Denmark, Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg and the rest of Germany

The power grids operated by TenneT and SH Netz are the backbone of Schleswig-Holstein’s renewable energy expansion and energy security. High-voltage lines like the 380 kV connection to Denmark and major projects like SuedLink and NordLink ensure green energy from North Germany reaches the consumption hubs in Germany's south and west and provide direct access to green energy on your doorstep. Particulary through its vital connections to offshore wind farms. Schleswig-Holstein is leading the way in renewable infrastructure and powering a sustainable future for Germany and beyond. 

• More than 3,600 wind turbines currently installed in Schleswig-Holstein 
• More than 11 million MWh of green energy exported
• Northern Germany on its way to become a leading future region for green hydrogen 

Since 2013, Schleswig-Holstein has been driving fibre-optic expansion and securing a leading position in high-speed access for households. With 70% of households already connected, the Broadband Competence Centre Schleswig-Holstein (BKZ.SH) is aiming for 90% fibre-optic coverage by 2025 and full coverage by 2030. Key hubs like DE-CIX in Hamburg and DIX in Copenhagen enhance the region’s digital reach into the European market. 
 
Highlights of Germany’s "True North" in digital connectivity: 

• 79% of households enjoy broadband speeds of 1,000 Mbit/s — the highest rate in Germany. 
• 89% of households, 85% of businesses and 78% of schools have gigabit coverage, vastly exceeding the national average of 36%. 
• 400 LoRaWAN gateways provide nearly comprehensive network access for businesses across Schleswig-Holstein. 

With its rich maritime history, Schleswig-Holstein’s ports are key hubs for international trade between Northern and Eastern Europe and the rest of the Continent. Their strategic location ensures their vital role in both cargo and passenger transport. At the heart of this dynamic network, the six busiest ports — Lübeck, Brunsbüttel, Puttgarden, Rendsburg, Flensburg and Kiel — together account for around 88% of the state’s total cargo throughput. The trade routes between Schleswig-Holstein and Baltic countries like Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Russia make up approximately 70% of this freight turnover. 
 
Key maritime facts: 

• 30 ports handle over 13 million passengers a year 
• 52 million tons of cargo shipped from Schleswig-Holstein each year
• Hamburg, Germany's largest seaport and Europe's third largest right next door 

Schleswig-Holstein is home to various airports and airfields, including Lübeck, Sylt and Kiel. Just a short distance away, Hamburg Airport — the largest in North Germany — connects over 55 airlines to national and international destinations. With more than 1,000 global destinations accessible through one-stop flights, Hamburg Airport is a vital hub for global air traffic and strengthens Schleswig-Holstein’s global connectivity.