BESS Project in Berlin: Building Permit Granted

A few days ago, we received the building permit for a BESS project in Berlin.

The path to getting there – as is often the case – was less straightforward than the project plan would suggest.

Despite numerous phone calls and emails to the responsible building authority, responses were slow at first. The assigned case officer was on leave, and alternative contacts were difficult to reach. At the same time, all documents had to be submitted both via the online portal and additionally in paper form – we will refrain from commenting on bureaucracy and digitalization here.

With a tight timeline ahead and a clear goal to move the project forward as quickly as possible, one of our colleagues attended the final public consultation hour of the year on December 23rd.

On site, with the full project documentation in hand, she presented the project in detail once again and worked through all open points together with a member of the authority.

The result: The permit was granted shortly after the the beginning of the new year.

Our take away:

Digital processes are important – but in complex infrastructure projects, presence, persistence and direct exchange still make the difference. Especially when timelines are critical.

Infrastructure is not created on paper alone – it is built by people who take responsibility.

Thanks to our team for their commitment – and to the staff at the authority for taking the time, even right before the end of the year.