Project description

Location

Witznitz Energy Park is in the vicinity of Leipzig in Saxony, Germany, and sprawls across the site of a former lignite mine. It stands for structural transformation in the region, with one of Germany’s largest solar farms built on the site of a former coal-mining hub. Its location in Central Germany, with connections to the supraregional power grid, suits the site to large-scale renewable energy generation.

The region benefits from both photovoltaic electricity generation and from new economic opportunities, as the site provides long-term employment in operations and maintenance roles while contributing to value generation in a structurally weak region.

Property description

Comprising over one million PV modules, Witznitz Energy Park is one of the largest solar farms in Europe. It covers an expansive site and uses state-of-the-art photovoltaic technology to generate power. Compensation sites spanning some 160 hectares were designated under the permits issued for the project and are managed in line with the applicable nature-conservation requirements.

The site produces around 640,000 Megawatt-hours of electricity per year, covering the calculated electricity requirements of around 255,000 two-person households. The electricity generated is fed into the supraregional power grid, to which the site has direct connections.

Technical system

Witznitz Energy Park is equipped with photovoltaic modules, inverters, transformer stations and a system for monitoring and controlling plant performance.

The facility is connected to the German high-voltage network and feeds the electricity generated into the public power grid.

Sustainability and the environment

The 160 hectares of compensation sites at Witznitz Energy Park were designated under the permits issued for the project. They are laid out and managed in line with the applicable nature-conservation requirements. The areas below and between the solar modules are cultivated extensively, following the approved management plans.

The site combines large-scale photovoltaic generation on former lignite mining land with the nature-conservation measures required under the permits issued. With an installed capacity of 650 MWp, it produces around 640,000 Megawatt-hours of electricity per year and was commissioned in March 2024.

Project status and realization

Witznitz Energy Park was developed and realized by Moveon Energy GmbH. The installation was successfully commissioned in March 2024. SICORE Real Assets GmbH acquired the project on behalf of SIGNAL IDUNA, while HANSAINVEST LUX serves as the capital management company (Service-KVG).

The project was implemented in close collaboration with local authorities, energy utility companies and environmental organizations.

Significance for the region

Witznitz Energy Park is an example of structural transformation in a former coal mining region. The site re-uses former lignite mining land for photovoltaic electricity generation, feeds the electricity into the public grid and creates new economic opportunities for the region.

The project shows how former mining land can be used for photovoltaic electricity generation and grid feed-in. Witznitz Energy Park is among the largest photovoltaic projects in Germany and Europe.