BayWa r.e. starts construction of Austria’s largest floating solar plant

German renewable energy company BayWa r.e. has made progress on the construction of Austria’s largest floating solar power plant that will, once constructed, be able to supply 7,500 households with green electricity.

Named Grafenwörth, and under construction on ponds in former sand and gravel pits near the namesake town, the 24.5MWp floating solar project will be one the largest of its kind built in Europe.

The power plant is expected to set a new milestone in the history of Austria’s energy transition by producing clean energy on an otherwise unused, artificial body of water.

In this country, with its mountainous topography, floating solar installations could be a real game changer as they do not need additional land or space for their construction, according to BayWa r.e.

When complete, the 24.5MW plant, being developed jointly by BayWa r.e.’s subsidiary ECOwind Handels – & Wartungs and Lower Austria’s energy supplier EVN, will produce enough energy to supply 7,500 average Austrian households.

Commenting on the project, Johanna Mikl-Leitner, the governor of Lower Austria, said: “In terms of climate protection, we want to take big steps forward. The [floating solar] system will help brings us a step closer to our goals in the fight against climate change.”

According to developers, the floating solar system will go into operation in spring 2023.

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