Germany: RWE breaks ground on 800 MWh battery, Kyon commissions 282 MWh project

Germany’s expansion of utility-scale battery energy storage is continuing, with two major projects in Lower Saxony reaching key milestones within days of each other.

In Alfeld, south of Hanover, developer Kyon Energy has brought a 137.5 MW battery energy storage system with 282 MWh of capacity onto the grid. The project has been connected to Avacon’s 110 kV network, with commissioning activities now underway ahead of planned commercial operation later this year. The system is designed to participate in power markets and provide grid flexibility, operating without direct subsidy support.

The Alfeld battery forms part of Kyon Energy’s growing German portfolio and reflects a broader shift toward merchant and part- or quasi-merchant battery projects, particularly in regions with strong grid congestion and price volatility. According to the developer, the project is intended to respond rapidly to market signals and support system stability as renewable penetration increases.

Separately, RWE has confirmed plans to build a 400 MW battery storage system at the site of its power plant in Lingen, also in Lower Saxony. The battery is designed for a discharge duration of at least two hours, implying an energy capacity of around 800 MWh. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with commissioning targeted for 2028.

The Lingen project will be connected to the Amprion transmission network and is expected to provide balancing services, reserve capacity, and short-term flexibility to the power system. It is part of RWE’s broader strategy to expand battery storage alongside renewables, conventional generation, and emerging hydrogen infrastructure at existing energy sites.

From pv magazine Germany: Kyon and RWE.