RWE secures approval for two new solar projects in North Rhine-Westphalia to supply over 11,000 households with clean energy

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(IN BRIEF) RWE has won two new solar projects in North Rhine-Westphalia, securing development rights for the 17.2 MWp Manheimer Bucht solar farm in the Rhein-Erft district and a 19.9 MWp expansion of its ongoing A44n motorway photovoltaic project. Together, the plants will generate sufficient renewable energy to power around 11,300 households. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, with commissioning later the same year. The projects will add to RWE’s existing seven solar farms in the Rhenish region, four of which are integrated with battery storage. CEO Katja Wünschel emphasized the company’s commitment to accelerating the solar rollout, while RWE also progresses other photovoltaic installations including a site near Niederzier, expected to supply 4,500 households.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESSEN, 18-Aug-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — RWE has secured two new solar projects in North Rhine-Westphalia through the latest German Federal Network Agency solar tender, further strengthening its role in the energy transition of the Rhenish region. One of the projects will see the development of the Manheimer Bucht solar farm in the Rhein-Erft district with a peak capacity of 17.2 megawatts (14.3 MWac), while the second will expand the photovoltaic installation currently being built along the A44n motorway, adding another 19.9 megawatts peak (15.5 MWac). Together, these sites will generate enough renewable power to supply around 11,300 German households once operational.

Subject to building approvals, construction of both projects is planned to begin in the first half of 2026, with commissioning scheduled before the end of that year. The Manheimer Bucht project will be built on recultivated land in the Hambach opencast mine, covering approximately 14.5 hectares—an area equivalent to 20 football pitches—with around 26,500 solar modules installed. Meanwhile, the motorway expansion will involve more than 30,600 modules on rehabilitated land at the Garzweiler opencast mine in Jüchen.

Katja Wünschel, CEO of RWE Renewables Europe & Australia, underscored the significance of these projects: “These developments reflect our commitment to the energy transition in the Rhenish region, where we are expanding our solar portfolio at pace. We already operate seven major solar farms in the region, some combined with battery storage, and for these new sites we are also assessing the integration of storage systems.”

The A44n corridor is already home to one of RWE’s major solar initiatives, where plants with a combined capacity of 86.5 MWp (74.6 MWac) are under construction and expected to be connected to the grid by the end of this year. With the second expansion phase now secured, capacity at the site will be further extended in 2026. Solar developments along motorways have the advantage of streamlined approval processes and generally enjoy stronger public acceptance, making them ideal sites for accelerating renewable capacity.

RWE continues to expand its portfolio in the region, with additional photovoltaic projects already in progress. In April, the company began installing over 22,000 solar modules at a site near Niederzier, within the Hambach opencast mine. Expected to go online within weeks, this project alone will generate enough electricity to cover the annual needs of about 4,500 households.

RWE
RWE is leading the way to a modern energy world. With its investment and growth strategy, RWE is contributing significantly to the success of the energy transition and the decarbonisation of the energy system. Around 20,000 employees work for the company in almost 30 countries worldwide. RWE is one of the leading companies in the field of renewable energy. RWE is investing billions of euros in expanding its generation portfolio, in particular in offshore and onshore wind, solar energy and batteries. It is perfectly complemented by its global energy trading business. Thanks to its integrated portfolio of renewables, battery storage and flexible generation, as well as its broad project pipeline of possible new builds, RWE is well positioned to address the growing global demand for electricity, particularly driven by further electrification and artificial intelligence. RWE is decarbonising its business in line with the 1.5-degree reduction pathway and will phase out coal by 2030. RWE will be net zero by 2040. Fully in line with the company’s purpose – Our energy for a sustainable life.

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Media Contact:

Sarah Knauber
RWE Renewables Europe & Australia GmbH
Press spokesperson
M +49 (0) 162 2544489
E sarah.knauber@rwe.com

SOURCE: RWE