Key Infrastructures for Climate Neutrality and Value Creation in the North 

Schleswig-Holstein’s infrastructure keeps the north connected. Major highways 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 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 Fehmarnbelt link promise a new era of sustainable transport: by 2029, it will reduce travel time between Denmark and Germany, becoming a vital part of Europe’s green transport future. 
 
Important transport routes in Schleswig-Holstein: 

• Kiel Canal the most frequented artifical waterway in the world connecting the Baltic Sea and the North Sea 
• A7 the North South motorway through the state  
• Fehmarnbelt link (under construction) cuts travel time betwenn Denmark, Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg 

The power grids operated by TenneT and SH Netz are the backbone of Schleswig-Holstein’s renewable energy expansion and energy security. Through high-voltage lines like the 380 kV connection to Denmark and major projects like SuedLink and NordLink, green energy from northern Germany reaches the consumption hubs in the south and west and provide direct access to green energy just in fron of your door. Schleswig-Holstein leads the way in renewable infrastructure, particularly through its vital connections to offshore wind farms, powering a sustainable future for Germany and beyond. 

• More than 3600 wind turbines are currently installed in Schleswig-Holstein 
• More than 11 Mio MWh of green energy are exported
• Northern Germany is on its way to a leading future region for green hydrogen 

Since 2013, Schleswig-Holstein has been driving fiber-optic expansion, securing a leading position in high-speed access for households. With 70% of households already connected, the Broadband Competence Center Schleswig-Holstein (BKZ.SH) aims for 90% fiber-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 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, Eastern, and Continental Europe. Thanks to their strategic location, they are vital for both cargo and passenger transport. The six busiest ports—Lübeck, Brunsbüttel, Puttgarden, Rendsburg, Flensburg, and Kiel—are at the heart of this dynamic network, together accounting for around 88% of the state’s total cargo throughput. The trade routes between Schleswig-Holstein and Baltic Sea countries like Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Russia make up approximately 70% of this exchange. 
 
Key maritime facts: 

• 30 ports handle over 13 million passengers annually. 
• 52 million tons of cargo are shipped from Schleswig-Holstein each year. 
• The Port of Hamburg is the largest seaport in Germany and the third largest in Europe ist just around the corner 

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