RWE’s 86.5 MW Solar Surge: How a German Coal Mine Turned Green
From Open-Pit to Solar Power
In a bold pivot from fossil fuels, RWE is transforming the Garzweiler opencast mine in North Rhine-Westphalia into a solar powerhouse. The energy giant announced plans to build several solar parks totaling 86.5 MW peak (74.6 MWac) along the A44n motorway, marking one of Germany’s most ambitious re-cultivation projects. The farms, equipped with 141,000 solar modules, will generate enough electricity to power approximately 27,700 households—proving that even post-mining landscapes can fuel the energy transition.
“Motorway-adjacent projects accelerate approvals and boost public acceptance,” says Katja Wünschel, CEO of RWE Renewables Europe & Australia. “This is infrastructure meets innovation.”
Fast-Tracking the Energy Transition
Scheduled for completion by late 2025, the project leverages re-cultivated land west and east of the A44n between Bedburg and Jüchen. But speed isn’t its only advantage. Dr. Lars Kulik, RWE Power’s CTO Lignite, emphasizes the strategic use of existing grid connections and local expertise: “We’re not just replacing coal with renewables—we’re advancing structural change in the Rhenish mining area.” The move aligns with Germany’s accelerated solar targets, which aim to cover 30% of electricity demand with photovoltaics by 2030.
Broader Trends in Renewable Energy
The project arrives as Europe grapples with negative electricity prices and grid modernization challenges—themes explored in the Spring 2025 issue of *Energy Global*. RWE’s motorway-adjacent model could set a precedent for repurposing industrial sites worldwide, combining rapid deployment with community buy-in. For deeper insights, the full analysis is available here.
“Solar isn’t just about panels—it’s about reimagining spaces,” notes an industry analyst in the report. “RWE’s mine-to-megawatt blueprint is a case study in pragmatic decarbonization.”
As Germany phases out coal, projects like this underscore a hard truth: the energy transition isn’t just about shutting down old systems—it’s about building new ones where they least expect it.
