The EnBW solar park project in Langenenslingen remained about ten percent below the estimated costs, partly because the purchase of components was cheaper and there were no delays in the construction of the photovoltaic power plant, which is now the largest in Baden-Württemberg.
Since the end of May, the 80-megawatt photovoltaic power plant in Langenenslingen, Baden-Württemberg, has been feeding solar power into the high-voltage grid. On Monday, Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann (Green Party) attended the official opening. It is by far the largest photovoltaic plant in the state. It was built by the energy company EnBW.
„In just five years, we were able to bring this major energy infrastructure project from the initial planning decision to the start of power feed-in – on schedule and below the projected costs,“ said EnBW CEO Georg Stamatelopoulos at the inauguration.
The EnBW solar park project had estimated costs in the mid-double-digit million range, but the company ultimately undercut these by around ten percent. EnBW attributed this success to its strategic procurement of components and required services. For example, the company bundled orders across multiple projects to reduce costs.
Close coordination with the general contractor and rapid approval processes, for example for the substation, also avoided costly delays.
According to EnBW, the construction phase of the solar park, which features 146,016 solar modules, took more than a year. The energy company managed this without any government subsidies. The photovoltaic power plant will also be operated outside of the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). The municipality will also benefit from the revenue. In addition to the trade tax, it will also receive a municipal levy, EnBW further explained. The amount depends on the amount of electricity fed into the grid and electricity market prices. EnBW expects a low six-figure sum to flow to the municipality annually. Residents will also be able to participate in the photovoltaic system through a subordinated loan.
In the course of constructing the photovoltaic power plant, EnBW also implemented various compensatory and replacement measures to protect and promote the local flora and fauna. The municipality emphasized the importance of preserving the existing orchards. EnBW also planted around 750 additional shrubs and trees and created 30 ponds.
