Renewable energy company Puespoek Group has inaugurated a 14 megawatt-peak (MWp) agricultural photovoltaic (Agri-PV) plant in eastern Austria as part of its broader strategy to install 400 MWp of solar capacity in the country by 2026.
The new facility, named Nickelsdorf I, spans 13 hectares and integrates solar power generation with agricultural land use. The plant features 23,000 solar modules and is designed to generate electricity for approximately 4,300 households. It represents Puespoek's first hybrid park, combining solar power with the existing Heidaecker Moenchhof wind farm.
Construction is also underway for the Nickelsdorf II plant, which will have a capacity of 68 MWp and cover 53 hectares. This facility is expected to provide electricity to around 23,000 households and is scheduled to become operational in 2024.
As part of its solar initiative, Puespoek is also incorporating large-scale battery storage systems. The first such system, located in Nickelsdorf, has been approved and is anticipated to start operations in 2025.
The overall plan aims to develop a total of 400 MW of solar capacity by 2026, aligning with Puespoek's growth objectives. This initiative is expected to provide clean electricity for 100,000 households.
Managing Director Lukas Puespoek highlighted the significance of the project, stating, “The combination of wind power, photovoltaics, and battery storage technologies makes the Nickelsdorf project a ‘super hybrid park' and thus a pioneering project in Austria's energy transition.”
