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

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.

The global photovoltaic films market is expected to see significant growth, reaching $41.59bn by 2034 due to the development of new solar technologies and the increasing demand for encapsulation suited to these innovations, a recent study indicates.
Italian group Plenitude has begun building Entrenúcleos, a 200 MW photovoltaic plant near Seville, set to deliver more than 435 GWh a year from 2026 while trialling locally produced green steel.
The state-controlled refiner has launched a 7.5-megawatt photovoltaic unit off Qingdao, the country’s first commercial installation designed for fully saline waters, intended to supply its future renewable hydrogen production.
The Emirati company Global South Utilities plans to install up to 250 MW of solar capacity in Madagascar, a project aimed at strengthening the national electricity network heavily reliant on fossil fuels and frequently facing energy deficits.
Emerging economies from the BRICS group now account for more than half of global solar electricity production in 2024, driven mainly by China, India, and Brazil, according to a new report by the organisation Ember.
Star Trade, a subsidiary of HD Renewable Energy, has signed a power purchase agreement with Lightsource bp to manage electricity distribution from a 115 MWp solar project located in Chiayi, strengthening their presence in the Taiwanese market.
TotalEnergies will develop a 1.8 MW photovoltaic installation for Daehwa Pharmaceutical, covering approximately 20% of the annual energy requirements of the production site located in Hoengseong-gun, South Korea, under a 20-year agreement.
Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners announces full operational launch of Cleve Hill Solar Park, now becoming the largest active photovoltaic power plant in the United Kingdom with a total installed capacity reaching 373 MW.
European photovoltaic module manufacturer BISOL is integrating G12R solar cells into its product range, replacing the former M10 cells, to improve product performance and technological competitiveness starting from the second quarter of 2025.
Adani Green Energy Limited becomes the first Indian company to achieve 15,539.9 MW of operational renewable capacity, cementing its position among the global top 10 independent green power producers.
Italian group Pronur establishes itself in Saudi Arabia with support from AstroLabs, aiming to provide advanced technologies in the renewable energy sector and develop new industrial partnerships.
Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. announces the launch of a $2mn public offering to finance working capital, product development and general expenses.
Ardian Clean Energy Evergreen Fund takes control of 117 photovoltaic plants totalling 116 MW in Italy, further consolidating its presence in the country’s renewable energy sector.
Zelestra has secured $282mn financing from Natixis CIB, BNP Paribas and BCI for its Aurora project, combining a 220 MWdc solar plant and 1 GWh storage capacity in the Tarapacá region, Chile.
Egypt has been building an industrial photovoltaic solar complex in Ain Sokhna since June 19, aiming to stimulate strategic local production with a total investment of $200 million funded by the Chinese group Sunrev.
Générale du Solaire has inaugurated in Leutenheim, Bas-Rhin, a floating photovoltaic plant of approximately 20 MWc installed on a former gravel pit, marking the region's first large-scale project supported by successful local participatory funding.
Plenitude and Modine have signed an agreement to build a photovoltaic plant with an installed capacity of 1.585 MWp in Pocenia, designed to power thermal and refrigeration equipment at Modine’s Italian industrial site, without initial investment.
Namibia begins construction of its largest solar plant, Sores|Gaib, aiming to reduce dependence on energy imports by leveraging its solar potential, considered among the highest globally according to the World Bank.
Bangladesh’s interim government has ordered mandatory deployment of solar systems on public building rooftops to reduce reliance on costly fossil fuel imports amid a fragile economic backdrop.
The Energy Progress Report 2025 shows an improvement in global electricity access to 92%, but highlights that 666 million people remain without electricity, particularly due to insufficient international funding for rural areas.