NORDHESSEN CLUSTER

Promoter – Financial Intermediary

BREITBAND NORDHESSEN GMBH

Location

• Germany

Description

This allocation under the Breitband Hessen framework (2014 0366) relates to the rollout of a passive fibre access infrastructure in the five northern districts of the German federal state of Hessen (Kassel, Waldeck-Frankenberg, Werra-Meißner, Schwalm-Eder and Hersfeld-Rotenburg), called the Nordhessen Cluster. The passive infrastructure will be promoted and owned by a joint unit of the related districts (Landkreise) and operated by one private operator.

Objectives

Provision of very high speed fixed broadband telecom services to residences and businesses in uncovered rural areas.

Sector(s)

• Telecom - Information and communication

Proposed EIB finance (Approximate amount)

EUR 72 million

Total cost (Approximate amount)

EUR 143 million

Environmental aspects

Investments in fixed telecommunications projects (mainly civil works for fibre rollout) do not fall under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive 2011/92/EC. The related works have limited environmental effects, apart from disturbance during civil work constructions, which can be mitigated by appropriate measures. Full environmental details will be assessed during appraisal, including the possible impact on protected flora and fauna (Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC and Birds Directive 2009/147/EC).

Procurement

The Bank will require the promoter to ensure that contracts for the implementation of the project have been/shall be tendered in accordance with the relevant applicable national and EU procurement legislation (Dir. 2004/18/EC or, depending on the promoter, 2004/17/EC and Dir. 2007/66/EC (amending Directives 1989/665/EEC and 1992/13/EEC)), with publication of tender notices in the EU Official Journal, as and where required.

Status

Approved - 15/04/2015