EPH-Owned Leipheim Power Plant Connects to Grid, Designed to Switch to Hydrogen

EPH-Owned Leipheim Power Plant Connects to Grid, Designed to Switch to Hydrogen

(IN BRIEF) The Leipheim power plant, located near Ulm in Germany, has achieved a significant milestone by connecting to the grid for the first time after the successful ignition of a gas turbine. The project, managed by LEAG and owned by Energetický a průmyslový holding (“EPH”), through its subsidiary EP Power Europe and PPF Investments, will have an installed capacity of 300 MW and will serve as a crucial technical facility to ensure grid stability during emergencies. The power plant is scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2023 at the latest and will generate electricity only upon Amprion’s request, primarily during situations when renewable sources are unable to meet electricity demand. The Leipheim power plant is set to play a vital role in ensuring energy security in southern Germany.

(PRESS RELEASE) PRAGUE, 29-Mar-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Energetický a průmyslový holding (EPH), a leading Central European energy group, announces that the Leipheim power plant, situated near Ulm between Munich and Stuttgart, has achieved a significant milestone by connecting to the grid for the first time, following the successful ignition of a gas turbine. The project is managed by LEAG, a company owned by Energetický a průmyslový holding (“EPH”) through its subsidiary EP Power Europe, and PPF Investments. With an installed capacity of 300 MW, the Leipheim power plant will serve as a crucial technical facility to ensure grid stability during emergencies. The grid operator, Amprion, has previously tendered for the construction of power plants.

“LEAG is thus confirming in practice that its strategy of transitioning from coal-fired power based on lignite extraction and combustion to fully carbon-free or low-emission sources is realistic, and the company is able to progressively meet its ambitious targets. LEAG is thus fulfilling its long-term strategic goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining high flexibility of its resources and stability of electricity supply. In parallel, LEAG is planning and preparing for the massive construction of wind and solar farms in places where coal mining is currently taking place,” says Jan Špringl, Chief Executive Officer of EP Power Europe.

The plant has been designed to switch from natural gas to hydrogen in the future. LEAG will invest around EUR 280 million in the project. The power plant is expected to be completed by the summer of 2023 at the latest. It will only generate electricity at Amprion’s request, primarily when renewable sources are unable to meet electricity demand. The Leipheim power plant is set to play a vital role in ensuring energy security in southern Germany.

About EPH:

Energetický a průmyslový holding (EPH) is a leading Central European energy group that owns and operates facilities in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. EPH is a vertically integrated energy utility covering the complete value chain: from lignite mining to power and heat generation to electricity and heat distribution. This includes supply and trading platforms on the one hand and gas infrastructure management on the other. Through its subsidiary EP Power Europe, EPH holds a 50% stake in LEAG.

Media contact:

Daniel Častvaj
tel.: +420 604 211 864
e-mail: castvaj@epholding.cz

SOURCE: Energetický a průmyslový holding