Enerparc Commissions 192-MWp Solar Cluster in Germany

In the district of Cochem-Zell, ENERPARC has developed and constructed one of the largest solar clusters in Rhineland-Palatinate. After three years of construction, all nine individual plants are now feeding into the public grid. Together with Katrin Eder, Minister for Climate Protection, and representatives of the municipality of Zell, ENERPARC officially inaugurated the cluster today at one of the plants in Grenderich. Together, the nine open-space photovoltaic plants in the Moselle valley have a total output of 192 MWp and can thus supply around 54,000 households with green electricity annually.

Alexander Schweitzer, Prime Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate: "ENERPARC's solar cluster is making an important contribution to our ability to achieve our goal of being climate-neutral by 2040 at the latest. This can only be achieved with an ambitious expansion of renewable energies. As early as 2008, the district of Cochem-Zell unanimously set itself the goal of becoming a ‘zero-emissions district’ and, with the active participation of its citizens, has since developed and implemented an ambitious climate protection concept. Today, it generates more than twice its electricity needs from renewable sources. It is great to see that this foresight is now bearing fruit. I am particularly grateful to ENERPARC and the local authorities for implementing the project with a solidarity pact. This means that all the municipalities in the VG and thus also the citizens directly benefit from the yields of the showcase project. Close coordination of planning and implementation in and with the region is crucial for acceptance – and above all, that the added value remains in the region. I would therefore like to thank all those involved in the project, which also strengthens the economic prospects of the region.’

Katrin Eder, Rhineland-Palatinate Minister for Climate Protection: "The expansion of renewable energies is crucial to combating global warming. Rhineland-Palatinate has been setting the energy policy course in this direction for many years. Climate-friendly energy is generated from wind, water, biomass or sun in countless communities. One example is the large-scale ‘Solarcluster Cochem-Zell’ project. It shows that large-scale solar power production is entirely feasible while taking into account the given landscape. The total output of 192 MWp is distributed across the coupled open-field PV systems in the local communities of Grenderich, Bullay, Neef, St. Aldegund, Mittelstrimmig, Liesenich, Reidenhausen, Haserich and Briedel. The plants were connected on both sides of the Moselle by means of elaborate earthworks, and the landscape of the Moselle valley was preserved optically, which contributes to local acceptance. It is also gratifying that the open-space plants were realised on municipal land, thus benefiting citizens and municipalities alike. In this way, the energy transition not only benefits the climate, but also the people in the vicinity of the PV plant.’

The large-scale project was challenging due to the special topographical conditions of the Moselle valley. In order to connect the plants with each other, but at the same time to integrate them carefully into the landscape, ENERPARC carried out complex drilling operations under the Moselle and a double-track railway line, as well as through two mountains. The 270-metre-high slopes between the plants required drilling of up to 930 metres. In addition to the topography of the Moselle valley, its history also required extraordinary preparations. Due to the region's Roman heritage, ENERPARC has fully investigated the areas in advance using geomagnetic prospection in order to protect it.

ENERPARC board member Stefan Müller: "The municipality of Zell is an example that shows us how we can succeed in accelerating the energy transition together, despite hurdles – especially if we approach it with a little less bureaucracy. From the outset, it has set the course for smooth implementation and recognised that the expansion of renewable energies is also a success factor for a region's economic development.’

Martin Formicola, ENERPARC project manager: "At ENERPARC, we cover all the services we need to construct a ground-mounted solar park in the multi-megawatt segment. In addition, we involve local companies that are familiar with the local conditions in such large-scale projects. Thanks to the commitment of everyone involved in the project, we have succeeded in implementing the cluster on schedule and in stages. Now we are feeding the solar power from the plants in Grenderich, Bullay, Neef, St. Aldegund, Mittelstrimmig, Liesenich, Reidenhausen and Haserich into the grid via two substations we have built in Kreuzstein and Bremm, and the solar plant in Briedel via our substation in Pünderich.’

Further solar expansion in the municipality

ENERPARC has already taken on nine further projects in the municipality, which together will be able to generate around 100 megawatt hours of solar power annually. Five of the plants are to be completed by mid-2025, the remaining four by the end of 2026.