The electrification of Europe is central to achieving net-zero emissions. It requires collaboration across industries and along the entire supply chain. Germany, with its strategic geography, industrial strength, and forward-thinking policy, plays a critical role in driving this transformation. Nicola Acampora, Head of Growth at Hyve Group – organiser of CWIEME Berlin – maps out the German electrification corridor, spotlighting five cities shaping the future of Europe’s energy landscape.

Electrification as an Industrial Strategy

Successful electrification isn’t just about moving away from fossil fuels. It means reimagining systems to meet the growing demand from electrified transport, cloud-native industries, and renewable-powered grids. Across Germany, clusters of industrial and research excellence are designing, building, and scaling the hardware that powers electrification – from power transformers and traction motors to semiconductors and data centre power systems.

Investors, policymakers, and customers are looking beyond components to the ecosystems that enable innovation, local production, and grid resilience.

Nuremberg: Powering the Grid with Transformer Innovation

Nuremberg has become a powerhouse for grid-scale electrical engineering, particularly in transformers and high-voltage infrastructure. Siemens Energy’s Nuremberg plant, one of Europe’s most important transformer manufacturing sites, is expanding capacity in 2025 to meet demand from transmission operators and renewable integration projects.

With multi-year lead times for transformers across Europe, Nuremberg’s industrial ecosystem supports domestic production and reduces import reliance. This strengthens Europe’s ability to deliver grid investment programmes on schedule.

Dresden: The Semiconductor Engine of Europe

At the heart of Silicon Saxony, Dresden leads Europe in semiconductor production and digital autonomy. Home to GlobalFoundries, Infineon, and the new TSMC-backed ESMC joint venture, it’s the only European region with such a concentration of advanced chip fabrication.

Semiconductors underpin every step of the electrification journey – from automated manufacturing to smart grid integration. Supported by the EU Chips Act and German federal investment, Dresden is delivering high-volume semiconductor output to ensure that European manufacturers remain resilient and globally competitive.

Stuttgart: Driving the Shift to Electrified Mobility

Stuttgart’s automotive legacy – with names like Mercedes-Benz Group, Porsche, and Mahle – is now redefining electric drivetrain technology. The region’s Tier-1 suppliers are evolving from combustion systems to electric drive units, battery integration, and inverter innovation.

Electric mobility symbolises the broader electrification movement, extending from vehicles to wind turbines, industrial robotics, and HVAC systems. Stuttgart’s innovation pipeline continues to advance electric motor technologies that drive Europe’s clean transport and manufacturing sectors.

Frankfurt: The Data Centre Powerhouse

Frankfurt has emerged as one of Europe’s leading data centre hubs, part of the FLAP (Frankfurt-London-Amsterdam-Paris) markets. According to CBRE, demand for data centre space in Frankfurt is rising sharply, driven by AI workloads and cloud infrastructure growth.

This expansion brings a surge in electricity demand. Data centres have become grid-scale power consumers, requiring reliable, high-quality energy connections. Their design and location directly influence grid modernisation and the deployment of renewables across Europe.

Berlin: Research, Innovation, and Collaboration at Scale

Berlin connects applied research with industrial implementation, bridging the gap between scientific discovery and commercial application. Institutions like Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) are pioneering breakthroughs in tandem photovoltaic cells that push conversion efficiency beyond current global benchmarks.

As Europe seeks to match and exceed the energy output of fossil fuels, research-driven cities like Berlin are vital to creating scalable solutions. The city’s cross-disciplinary networks make it a hub for pan-European electrification projects and collaborative innovation.

CWIEME Berlin: Where Power Meets Progress

As the world’s largest coil winding and electrical manufacturing exhibition, CWIEME Berlin brings together specialists from every stage of the electrification value chain. From raw material suppliers to component innovators and grid operators, it is where power meets progress. 

Positioned in Germany’s capital, CWIEME Berlin fosters collaboration and insight to accelerate Europe’s electrification. It remains the meeting place for innovators shaping the future of energy systems, e-mobility, and power distribution.

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