German municipal utility SWS Stadtwerke Stralsund has announced the commencement of construction on a solar thermal plant, poised to become the third largest in Germany with an anticipated heat output of 11 GWh.
Situated in the city of Stralsund in northern Germany, the facility will span an area equivalent to five soccer pitches.
According to SWS, the projected heat production is expected to satisfy over 10% of the demands of the Knieper/Gruenhufe district heating area.
The construction of the plant will be undertaken by German company Viessmann Climate Solutions SE, a subsidiary of US-based heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems manufacturer Carrier Global (NYSE:CARR).
Initial installation of solar modules is scheduled for 2024, with the facility anticipated to be operational by mid-2025.
The initiative aligns with Stadtwerke Stralsund's commitment to utilizing sustainable heat sources and augmenting the proportion of renewable energy. Through earlier projects, the utility has already elevated the share of renewable energy to 30%, surpassing the German government's 2030 target for district heating ahead of schedule.
