IG Merbitz Solar GmbH to supply solar power for Salzgitter Group

The Salzgitter Group is engaged in close cooperation with customers and partners to achieve its climate aims and objectives, and is now partnering with Energiesysteme Groß GmbH & Co. KG and Agrarbetrieb Gut Merbitz GbR on their PV project in Wettin-Löbejün. Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH and IG Merbitz Solar GmbH, the project company for the PV power plant in Merbitz, have now concluded a green electricity supply agreement (PPA). The electricity will be generated by a ground-mounted photovoltaic system currently under construction at the Merbitz site in Saxony-Anhalt. "The electricity supply agreement now concluded between our two companies underlines the importance of renewable energies for the energy transition in Germany and for the Salzgitter site – where virtually CO2-free steel will be produced from 2026 onwards", as Ralph Schaper, Head of Energy Management, Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH stated.

In concluding this Power Purchase Agreement, Salzgitter Flachstahl has secured the supply of around 71 GWh/a of green electricity from Merbitz at a fixed price for 10 years as from January 2025, in addition to the option to temporarily store this electricity on site.

The sustainably produced energy further secures the ongoing SALCOS transformation program for low emission steelmaking. The green electricity from the photovoltaic systems will initially part of Salzgitter Flachstahl's normal "electricity procurement portfolio". The long-term plan is to use the electricity to produce green hydrogen, which represents a core element in the Salzgitter Group's production of virtually CO2-free steel.

Curd von Lenthe, one of the managing directors of IG Merbitz Solar GmbH, explains that the participating farm, which operates according to the guidelines and rules of organic farming, supports the transformation process initiated as part of the energy transition out of fundamental conviction. Providing the land for the solar park represents an additional economic pillar for the farm in securing its long-term viability.

Björn Groß, Managing Director and owner of Energiesysteme Groß GmbH & Co. KG went on to comment: "The development of large-scale ground-mounted PV projects is one of our core competencies. In order to actively shape and promote the energy transition, we have anchored the supply of green electricity to industry an integral part of our corporate objectives. We are delighted to support Salzgitter AG on the course to low-CO₂ steel with our project."

Source and Photo: Salzgitter