HGK and RheinEnergie Launch Joint Solar Power Project

Two companies of the Stadtwerke Köln Group are jointly committed to sustainable energy supply: RheinEnergie AG is building its largest rooftop photovoltaic system to date on the newly constructed logistics halls of neska in Ladenburg near Mannheim, a subsidiary of the Logistics and Intermodal division of Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG (HGK). The system will develop a capacity of around four megawatts peak power (MWp).

(Köln/Ladenburg) A portion of the electricity output (approximately 750 kW) from the photovoltaic system in Ladenburg will flow directly on-site into the modern multi-user logistics center with 50,000 square meters of usable space operated by neska. Tailored to the regional customer structure with many companies in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, cooling is offered at many of the approximately 70,000 pallet spaces. The increased energy demand can be met sustainably due to the photovoltaic solution.

RheinEnergie has developed a comprehensive energy concept for the project. This supports neska in reducing energy-related CO2 emissions while simultaneously saving on energy costs. “Together with our partner RheinEnergie, we have developed a solution that allows us to provide regional companies and global partners with exactly the sustainable service they need and demand for their operations. At the same time, this can save about ten percent of the calculated CO2 consumption of neska Group’s logistics infrastructure,” says neska Managing Director Dr. Jan Zeese.

Award from the Federal Network Agency

The remaining part of the photovoltaic system is operated by RheinEnergie Solar, a 100% subsidiary of RheinEnergie. The electricity generated is fed into the public power grid under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). RheinEnergie has received a corresponding award from the Federal Network Agency following a tender.

“Many companies in Germany are increasingly wishing to source their energy supply from renewable sources. Rooftop photovoltaic systems are a very good solution in this regard. The experts at RheinEnergie offer a complete package from a single source, planning and constructing a PV system while also developing an energy concept tailored to the specific needs of the customers,” says Achim Südmeier, Sales Director of RheinEnergie.

In addition to the photovoltaic system in Ladenburg, which is set to go into operation in 2022, RheinEnergie is currently preparing the construction of another large ground-mounted photovoltaic system with approximately 19 MW peak power. Further renewable energy projects are in planning.

Photo: © HGK