Energy Germany's largest solar park in operation near Leipzig
The Witznitz energy park was built on a former open-cast lignite mine. It stands for the transformation of an entire region - and could be a model for future energy projects.
03.07.2024, 15:25
SDA
Solar power instead of brown coal: after around two years of planning and construction, the Witznitz Energy Park south of Leipzig in the German state of Saxony has been officially opened. According to the operators, it is not only the largest solar park in Germany, but also the "largest contiguous solar park in Europe".
At the symbolic opening ceremony, Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) said that Germany's largest solar park was being built in central Germany. This marks a transformation - away from lignite and towards renewable energies: "We want to remain an industrialized country, and for that we need renewable energies."
Electricity for around 200,000 households The energy park is located on the site of the former Witznitz II open-cast lignite mine and covers an area of around 500 hectares - the equivalent of around 700 football pitches. More than one million modules have been installed here for the 650-megawatt solar park. This is enough to supply 200,000 four-person households with electricity. The company behind the project is Move On Energy. The aim is to save more than 250,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
Financing in the mid three-digit million range The solar park was financed by an investment from the insurance group Signal Iduna - without state subsidies. According to the company, the amount involved is in the mid three-digit million range.
The owner is the financial subsidiary Hansainvest Real Assets. "By investing in this flagship project of the energy transition, we as an insurance group are taking responsibility for a sustainable future and providing an important impetus for the revitalization of the region," said Martin Berger, CFO of Signal Iduna.
