One of Germany's largest hybrid power plants starts up

13.11.2025

Source: E & M powernews

One of Germany's largest hybrid power plants is being built in Zerbst. The plant combines PV and battery storage. It is a first for the operator Statkraft.

Statkraft has commissioned a hybrid power plant consisting of photovoltaics and battery storage in Zerbst in the district of Anhalt-Bitterfeld (Saxony-Anhalt). According to the company, this is "the largest project of its kind under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) in Germany". In purely mathematical terms, the plant will cover the electricity requirements of around 14,000 households and help to save around 32,000 tons of CO2 and generate 50 million kWh of green electricity per year.

The Norwegian energy company Statkraft, headquartered in Oslo and with its German subsidiary based in Düsseldorf, is the largest producer of renewable energy in Europe. The power plant was built in a former gravel pit in Zerbst Ost. The solar park has a capacity of 46.4 MW and the storage facility has a withdrawal capacity of 16 MW. The combination of both components makes it possible to store solar energy generated during the day and feed it into the grid later as required, according to a statement from Düsseldorf.

The battery storage system consists of 88 so-called cubes, each containing 16 lithium-ion batteries. According to Statkraft, the storage units can store up to 57,000 kWh of electricity in total. This can be done in around three and a half hours, Statkraft said on request. The system is intended to compensate for fluctuations in the grid and increase the economic efficiency of solar power generation. The electricity generated will receive a market premium from the EEG innovation tender, according to the statement.

Only twelve months construction time

Construction of the power plant began in October 2024, following the completion of environmental and species protection assessments. The power plant was completed in just twelve months. At the official commissioning ceremony, Minister President Reiner Haseloff (CDU) described the project as a "beacon for the energy transition in Saxony-Anhalt" and praised the combination of solar and storage technology as an important contribution to grid stability.

According to Statkraft, the feed-in to the grid has been running since last October. The plant is now in stable operation. As the Norwegians explain, Zerbst is the first in-house developed renewable energy plant that the company has connected to the grid as a project developer in Germany.

Voluntary municipal contribution to the town

The town of Zerbst/Anhalt is to benefit directly from the plant. According to Statkraft, it is expected to pay around EUR 100,000 per year as a voluntary municipal levy. The municipality can use the money for infrastructure projects. In addition to this payment, trade tax will also be paid, which will also flow into local development.

Statkraft emphasizes that hybrid power plants like the one in Zerbst could shape the future of decentralized energy generation. They combine efficiency, storage options and flexibility. "With the Zerbst solar park, we are sending out a strong signal for the energy transition," said Claus Urbanke, Vice President Wind, Solar & Storage Development Germany at Statkraft. Projects of this kind are to follow at other locations in the coming years.

Statkraft employs around 7,000 people worldwide and operates plants for hydro, wind and solar energy as well as gas and district heating supply. In recent years, Statkraft has significantly expanded its development activities in the areas of wind, solar and storage and is currently working on a project pipeline of around 4,000 MW.

Statkraft has compiled further information on the hybrid power plant in Zerbst on a website.

Author: Davina Spohn