Germany: RWE for green electricity production in the Rhineland

RWE has inaugurated a new photovoltaic power plant with integrated storage system at the foot of the Sophienhöhe hill in the Hambach open-cast mine. This project marks an important step in the region's energy transition.

Share:

RWE Centrale Photovoltaïque Rhénanie

Subscribe for unlimited access to all energy sector news.

Over 150 multisector articles and analyses every week.

Your 1st year at 99 $*

then 199 $/year

*renews at 199$/year, cancel anytime before renewal.

RWE continues to make rapid progress in the production of green electricity in the Rhine mining region. The new photovoltaic plant, named RWE Neuland Solar Farm, has a capacity of 12 megawatt-peak (8.4 MWac) and comprises 22,000 bifacial solar modules. These modules, which are light-sensitive on both sides, use not only direct sunlight but also light reflected from the ground, increasing their efficiency. The plant produces enoughgreen electricity to power more than 3,100 German households. The plant’s battery storage system is designed for a two-hour charge/discharge cycle, with a capacity of over eight megawatt-hours. It acts as a buffer between generation and the grid, guaranteeing a stable, continuous supply of electricity.

Sustainable temporary use of the area

The plant site is located on a gravel field near the future Hambach lake. While the lake will only be completely filled with water in around 40 years’ time, RWE is using the area to generate green energy, thus contributing to the energy transition.

Lars Kulik, CTO Lignite at RWE Power, said, “This solar power plant is the visible manifestation of how structural change and energy transition can succeed.”

Continued expansion of renewable energies

RWE doesn’t stop there. Alongside the RWE Neuland Solar Farm, another photovoltaic power plant, the RWE Neuland 1 Solar Farm, is currently under construction. In the first construction phase, 36,700 modules with a combined capacity of 20 megawatt-peak (17.6 MWac) are installed. The second phase, scheduled for this summer, will add a further 15.2 megawatt-peak (12 MWac). At the same time, RWE is planning another solar power plant at the Hambach open-cast mine. The company plans to jointly manage these solar projects with Neuland Hambach GmbH, a company coordinating structural change around the open-cast mine.

RWE’s commitment to green energy in Germany

With over 20 years’ experience in the development, construction and operation of renewable energy plants, RWE continues to expand its activities in Germany. The company operates onshore wind farms and solar farms with a total installed capacity of around 700 megawatts, including four combined solar-storage power plants in the Rhine mining region. In addition, RWE’s first Agri-PV demonstration plant was built on recultivated land, formerly part of the Garzweiler open-pit mine. In total, RWE plans to invest around €11 billion net in green generation capacity in Germany over the next seven years.
The rapid development of the RWE Neuland Solar Farm and associated projects illustrates RWE’s commitment to energy transition and technological innovation. These initiatives not only increase Germany’s renewable energy production capacity, they also demonstrate how former mining areas can be transformed into sustainable energy production sites.

Ascent Solar Technologies has signed an agreement with Star Catcher Industries to enhance in-orbit power generation by combining lightweight photovoltaic technology with wireless energy transmission.
NextWave Energy Monitoring integrated 529 megawatts of Cenergy solar projects into its PVPulse platform, including the largest 300 MW photovoltaic plant equipped with its monitoring system.
Solar panel imports into Africa reached 15,032 MW in one year, setting a record and marking an expansion beyond South Africa, according to the energy research organisation Ember.
Ferrovial will launch a 250 MW solar plant in Texas for $355mn, expanding its US energy portfolio and creating around 300 jobs during the construction phase.
The 4.99 MW floating solar power plant in Cebu supplies the Carmen Copper mining site, covering about 10% of its energy needs, with connection to the national grid now effective.
Four photovoltaic plants totaling 50 MW will be built in Benin by Axian Energy and Sika Capital to strengthen the share of renewables in the country’s energy mix.
Developer Qair secures a loan from the Facility for Energy Inclusion to build a 5.8 MWp floating photovoltaic solar plant in Providence Lagoon, the first utility-scale project of its kind in Seychelles.
Israeli group Shikun & Binui begins commercial operation of its first photovoltaic park in Romania, a 71 MW facility located in Satu Mare County.
Canadian Solar reported a gross margin of 29.8% in Q2 2025, exceeding expectations despite a net loss, amid delayed project sales and asset impairments.
Australian distributor OSW secures strategic funding to accelerate U.S. growth and deploy its digital solar project management platform.
According to the Energy Information Administration, solar will represent the leading source of new U.S. power capacity this year.
Two 13 MW solar facilities have been completed at the Fort Polk military site in Louisiana by Onyx Renewables and Corvias as part of a partnership to secure the site’s long-term energy supply.
Photon Energy Group reports quarterly revenue growth driven by solar technology trading, while profitability falls due to a weaker capacity market.
Two photovoltaic projects led by RWE were selected in a federal tender, with commissioning scheduled by the end of 2026, subject to permits.
The public utility Eskom launches a tender to sell long-term solar electricity via PPAs, directly targeting industrial players amid continued pressure on national energy security.
The Norwegian group Scatec strengthens its position in emerging markets with a marked increase in revenue and its portfolio of projects under construction.
The consortium led by Masdar has secured approximately $1.1 billion in financing to build one of the world’s largest solar power plants in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is financing the modernization of Enerjisa Enerji’s electricity distribution network in the Toroslar region, affected by the 2023 earthquakes.
Vikram Solar will supply 250 MW of high-efficiency solar modules to the Bondada Group for a project in Maharashtra, with deployment scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2025–2026.
Meta secures its energy supply in South Carolina with a 100-megawatt solar project led by Silicon Ranch and Central Electric Power Cooperative. The site will support the group's future data center in Graniteville.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.

or

Go unlimited with our annual offer: $99 for the 1styear year, then $ 199/year.