RWE has secured contracts for two onshore wind projects totalling 119 MW in Germany’s latest renewable energy auction, with both schemes targeting commissioning in 2028 if the company gives final investment approval.
The awards cover a new wind farm on former mining land in North Rhine-Westphalia and a repowering project in Lower Saxony. Together, they will add generation capacity while also demonstrating two different approaches to expanding onshore wind: developing reclaimed industrial land and upgrading an existing site.
The 84 MW Jüchen 3 project is planned on recultivated land at the former Garzweiler open-cast mine in the Rhein-Kreis Neuss district. The site forms part of a wider landscape being reshaped following decades of lignite mining.
Further north, RWE plans to replace five turbines at its Seedorf wind farm in the Rotenburg (Wümme) district of Lower Saxony. The existing machines have a combined capacity of 9 MW. They would be replaced by five modern turbines with a total capacity of 35 MW.
RWE said the projects reflect the growing importance of renewable generation as Germany’s electricity requirements increase.
“Renewable energies are the cornerstone of a secure energy supply in the face of rising electricity demand,” the company said.
It added that electricity generation from onshore wind farms is “particularly cost-effective” and has a “proven track record”.
RWE currently operates about 770 MW of onshore wind capacity in Germany and says it is continuing to expand its domestic portfolio. The company has also emphasised a nationwide presence in wind and solar development, reflecting the regional nature of Germany’s renewable energy market.
Construction and commissioning of both projects remain dependent on RWE reaching final investment decisions.
