RWE has completed the second phase of its solar project at the Garzweiler opencast mine, increasing the total installed capacity to 105.7MWp.
The company said the latest 19.2MWp expansion, located on recultivated land along the A44n motorway between Bedburg and Jüchen, was completed in less than six months and has been operational since October 2026.
RWE added that the two phases comprise 171,600 solar modules capable of generating enough electricity to supply around 34,000 households.
The first phase, which has been operational since the end of 2025, comprises 141,000 modules with a capacity of 86.5MWp, while the second adds 30,600 modules.
Alongside the solar development, RWE is constructing a 75MW battery energy storage system with a storage capacity of around 150MWh.
The facility is scheduled for completion in spring 2027 and will provide balancing energy to support grid stability.
The battery will share a grid connection with the neighbouring solar installation, allowing more efficient use of existing infrastructure.
RWE Renewables Europe & Australia chief executive Sopna Sury said the developments demonstrate the company’s continued commitment to expanding renewable energy in the Rhenish mining area.
“Along the A44n, the change towards a new energy landscape is visible: wind power, solar energy and battery storage complement each other here.”
RWE is also building the approximately 60MW Bedburg 3 wind farm near the solar installations.
Across the Rhenish mining area, the company is building and operating solar and wind projects with a combined capacity of around 600MW, with further renewable energy developments planned.
“Our recultivated areas at the Garzweiler opencast mine are particularly suitable for the expansion of renewable energies,” said RWE Power executive board member Thomas Körber.
“In doing so, we can build on the decades of experience of our employees for a secure energy supply.”
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