EnBW has held a groundbreaking ceremony for its 72MW energy park in Gundelsheim, Germany.
Located in the district of Heilbronn, the solar/wind hybrid will also feature a battery storage system.
Work on the PV array has now begun and the groundbreaking ceremony was attended by a group representing local citizens and Gundelsheim’s Mayor Heike Schokatz.
With approximately 110,000 solar modules, the solar park will have an installed output of 60.5MW and produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of around 23,900 households.
It is due to be commissioned in the first quarter of 2025 and extends over a project area of 64 hectares, with about 55 hectares serving as a solar area.
The other tracts include biotope zones, such as a pond and woody structures, as well as paths that function as wildlife crossings.
“Many process-related aspects had to be taken into account when planning the solar park. Environmental associations were heavily involved in it all,” said EnBW project manager Stefan Wresch.
“The project is challenging from a planning perspective, but the authorities have handled it with a great deal of expertise and a high degree of commitment.”
EnBW’s technical project manager Stefan Lederer added: “From a technical point of view, soil stabilisation measures were necessary, along with the use of new technologies.
“We mastered all of this, thanks to the highly constructive approach adopted by everyone involved.”
Gundelsheim’s Mayor Heike Schokatz said: “This groundbreaking ceremony marks an important step for the energy park project – and for the development of sustainable energy generation in our region.
“Our city provides the ideal location for the project: The site is large and suitable for both solar modules and wind turbines. At the same time, the site is located above Gundelsheim and away from existing residential buildings.
“That is why we can realize this new kind of combined project here and thus play a key role in mitigating climate change in the state.”
There are plans to submit the approval application for the wind farm – another feature of the energy park – in the third quarter of 2024.
Commissioning is then scheduled for the third quarter of 2027.
Two Enercon E160 turbines, each with a capacity of 5.6MW, are planned for the site.
They are expected to generate around 22 million kilowatt-hours per year. This is the equivalent to the annual consumption of around 6600 households.
A battery storage with a capacity of 2.25 megawatt-hours will also be installed on site.
This allows for more effective use of the installed capacity of the power generation units. The electricity produced can thus be fed into the grid more flexibly. It can also be used to meet the power needs of the facilities themselves.