EnBW has initiated construction on a significant renewable energy venture with a groundbreaking ceremony for its 72MW energy park in Gundelsheim, Germany. Located in Heilbronn district, the hybrid facility integrates solar and wind power generation alongside a battery storage system, aiming to bolster regional sustainability efforts.
The project, which encompasses a solar park spanning 64 hectares, will feature approximately 110,000 solar modules capable of generating 60.5MW of electricity. Scheduled for commissioning in the first quarter of 2025, the energy park is anticipated to supply power equivalent to about 23,900 households annually.
During the ceremony, attended by local citizens and Gundelsheim's Mayor Heike Schokatz, EnBW underscored the ecological considerations guiding the park's development. “Many process-related aspects had to be taken into account when planning the solar park. Environmental associations were heavily involved,” remarked EnBW project manager Stefan Wresch.
Technical challenges were also addressed, according to EnBW's technical project manager Stefan Lederer, who highlighted soil stabilization measures and innovative technologies incorporated into the park's design. “We mastered all of this, thanks to the highly constructive approach adopted by everyone involved,” Lederer added.
Mayor Heike Schokatz emphasized the project's strategic importance in advancing sustainable energy solutions. “Our city provides the ideal location for the project,” Schokatz noted. “The site is large and suitable for both solar modules and wind turbines, positioned away from residential areas, which allows us to play a key role in mitigating climate change in the region.”
Future plans include the submission of an approval application for the wind farm component in the third quarter of 2024, with commissioning slated for the third quarter of 2027. The wind segment will feature two Enercon E160 turbines generating approximately 22 million kilowatt-hours annually, supplemented by a 2.25 megawatt-hour battery storage system to optimize power utilization and grid flexibility.
