The former Gundremmingen nuclear power plant has been demolished, and the site is being prepared for a new energy project. RWE has broken ground on a 700 MWh battery storage facility.
Approximately 600 kilograms (1322 pounds) of explosives were required to blast the two cooling towers, which had never been exposed to radioactivity during their operational phase, according to the company.
“Around 56,000 tonnes of concrete, which are now being processed as recycled gravel,” said RWE.
Recently, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the 400 MW/700 MWh system, which will be capable of supplying electricity continuously for nearly two hours.
Notably, the new facility will utilize the valuable, high-capacity grid connection previously provided by the decommissioned nuclear plant.
“The battery storage facility will stabilize the grid when there is no wind or sunlight,” said the company in a press release.
Installation of around 850,000 battery cells
According to the company’s plans, the project will involve the installation of more than 200 containers housing approximately 850,000 lithium-iron-phosphate battery cells.
These will be connected to over 100 inverters, designed to supply or absorb electricity from the grid within milliseconds, helping to ensure stability. The new facility is scheduled to begin commercial operation in early 2028.
This battery system is the centerpiece of a broader redevelopment strategy for the Gundremmingen location. RWE intends further to leverage the existing infrastructure of the former nuclear site.
These plans also include the construction of a 55-hectare photovoltaic plant, with work scheduled to begin next year, as well as the development of a new gas-fired power plant.
One of several power initiatives
The Gundremmingen project is one of several major initiatives RWE is advancing. In a separate development earlier this week, the company unveiled plans for a hydrogen-capable combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant at its Voerde site in North Rhine-Westphalia. This proposed facility will have a capacity of approximately 850 MW.
RWE stated on Monday that it is “preparing diligently to participate” in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action’s upcoming tenders for these reserve power plants and intends to begin construction in Voerde promptly if awarded a contract.
The Voerde project, which began its permitting process in 2024, is being designed to be technically capable of operating with at least 50% hydrogen from its initial launch, expected in 2030.
Location is strategic
Its location is also considered strategic, as it connects directly to Germany’s core hydrogen network, which would enable a future conversion to 100% hydrogen.
While RWE has described its new Gundremmingen facility as Germany’s largest battery storage project, this title may be temporary. The claim highlights a rapid acceleration in the country’s energy storage sector, as Eco Stor is set to break ground next week on a 300 MW/716 MWh battery energy storage system in Saxony-Anhalt.
Besides, Ads-Tec has announced plans for an even larger 1 GW/2 GWh storage project, which is anticipated to come online in 2029.