LEAG announced at today’s East German Energy Forum in Leipzig that it will build by far the largest renewable energy center in Germany by 2030 with a capacity of 7 gigawatts – the GigawattFactory. As a strategic cooperation partner, EP New Energies GmbH (EPNE) is developing the wind and solar energy projects for the GigawattFactory in Lausitz. EPNE will develop the renewable energy capacity primarily on LEAG’s company-owned post-mining land.
From 2030, the LEAG GigawattFactory will combine climate-neutral energy generation with state-of-the-art storage solutions, green hydrogen and future-proof power plants to provide a secure energy supply. In addition there are potential areas for a further 7 gigawatts of renewable capacity by 2040. “7 GW of renewable energy for the GigawattFactory – and the further potential beyond 2030 – are a relevant milestone in the German energy transition and will significantly advance structural change in the opencast mining regions of Lusatia. Transforming the lignite mining areas into modern energy landscapes is the supreme discipline of project development in Germany and we are thus giving the energy turnaround the necessary boost,” comments Dominique Guillou, Managing Director of EPNE, on the plans presented by LEAG.
With a view to the urgency of an import-independent and secure energy supply, EPNE plans to implement the renewable energy projects as quickly as possible. “Since the go-ahead 2 ½ years ago, we have identified suitable land potential for wind and solar plants totaling 14 GW on company-owned and secured land for LEAG and have already brought 1 GW into approval procedures. Every megawatt hour counts – to alleviate the current energy crisis, but also for the long-term prospects of Lusatia,” says Dominique Guillou.
For more than two years, the EPNE team has been developing renewable energy projects in the Lusatian coalfield on behalf of LEAG, thus supporting the transformation of the lignite region. EPNE takes charge of everything from the identification of suitable projects and the implementation of corresponding feasibility studies to the development and construction of the projects. In doing so, EPNE uses its broad expertise for large-scale wind and solar projects on areas with particularly complex soil conditions as well as for approvals according to different legal procedures (BImSchG, waste law and mining law). At the same time, EPNE is setting new standards with its concept for landscape design and species and nature conservation concept.
In order to pursue this unique project, EPNE continues to expand its team of currently 35 employees. Currently, 14 positions are advertised in various areas in Berlin, Cottbus and Leipzig, and further growth is planned.
Your contact for further information:
Margarita Schulz, HR & Communications Manager
Phone 030 767584572, margarita.schulz@epne.de