Iberdrola Germany has completed a 65-megawatt-peak solar power plant in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt that will supply renewable electricity to steelmaker Salzgitter AG as part of its efforts to decarbonise production.
The 45-hectare facility comprises more than 92,000 solar modules and will deliver power under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA), Iberdrola Germany said. All electricity generated by the plant will be bought by Salzgitter and integrated into its steelmaking operations.
“This solar plant is another milestone for our German onshore portfolio,” said Felipe Montero, managing director of Iberdrola Germany. “We are demonstrating that the combination of strong partners, modern technology and long-term industrial cooperation is driving the energy transition forward in a concrete way.”
The plant is expected to generate around 60 gigawatt hours of electricity per year, enough to supply more than 20,000 households, while avoiding more than 23,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually, according to Iberdrola.
The renewable power will support Salzgitter’s SALCOS® (Salzgitter Low CO₂ Steelmaking) programme, which aims to transform steel production using low-emissions processes. Iberdrola said the agreement contributes to the decarbonisation of one of Europe’s most energy-intensive industrial sectors.
“The Salzgitter Group relies on strong partnerships for its SALCOS® programme,” said Ralph Schaper, head of energy management at Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH. “These robust networks help establish the essential foundations for implementing low-CO₂ production processes and products.”
Construction of the solar plant was carried out in several phases with partners including Solarpro, P&Q and EMT, and involved regional companies to support local employment and value creation, Iberdrola said.
