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83-hectare solar park planned at ex-airfield in Lemwerder-with battery storage and hydrogen power plant

Published on: April 3, 2025 / Updated on: April 3, 2025 – Author: Konrad Wolfenstein

83-hectare solar park planned on former airfield in Lemwerder – with battery storage and hydrogen power plant – Image: Xpert.Digital

Exciting future project for open-field photovoltaic system with battery storage and hydrogen power plant

Council decision for 83-hectare solar park on former airfield in Lemwerder

On March 30, 2025, the Lemwerder municipal council passed a groundbreaking resolution for the region's renewable energy supply. By a clear majority, the planning process for a large-scale solar park on the former airfield was initiated. Simultaneously, several important personnel changes took place, including the replacement of a council member who resigned for health reasons and new appointments to the fire department leadership.

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Solar park project of Hamburg-based Sunvest GmbH

The Lemwerder municipal council has decided to use an 83-hectare section of the 126-hectare former airfield as the site for a solar park. The Hamburg-based Sunvest GmbH will act as the investor and plans to construct a large-scale ground-mounted photovoltaic system there. The planning process was initiated despite opposition from the Independent Voters' Association of Lemwerder (UWL), with eight council members abstaining.

Planning details and potential

The plant planned by Sunvest is expected to produce around 115,000 megawatts of electricity annually once fully operational, primarily benefiting the local economy. A remarkable aspect of the park's design is its combination of various technologies for the comprehensive utilization of renewable energy. In addition to solar panels, Sunvest plans to install battery storage units and a hydrogen power plant that will produce green hydrogen through electrolysis.

Sustainability aspects and agri-photovoltaics

The planned solar park follows the concept of agri-photovoltaics, where agricultural use continues alongside energy production. Specifically, sheep will be able to graze beneath the solar panels. This dual-use concept aligns with Sunvest's philosophy, which emphasizes on its corporate website: "Environmentally friendly solar parks not only produce green energy but also promote sustainable agricultural practices and strengthen local biodiversity."

Planning law changes

During the council meeting, an important change was made to the planning process. Instead of a project-specific development plan, which had initially been discussed, the council opted for a development plan based on offers, granting the investor greater flexibility. This planning approach allows Sunvest to determine details such as the precise location, orientation, and spacing of the modular tables only at a later planning stage. Nevertheless, the council retains a degree of control by deciding in a second vote that the urban development contract must be submitted to the council for approval before being signed.

Criticism of the solar park project

The decision in favor of the solar park was not unanimous. The UWL parliamentary group, in particular, opposed the project. UWL parliamentary group leader Sven Schröder emphasized that their rejection was not directed against renewable energies in general, but against the use of this specific area: “Not because we are against renewable energies, but because we consider the area unsuitable. It is too valuable.”

The opposition was particularly evident in the stance of UWL parliamentary group member Rainer Wohlers, who abstained from voting altogether, deeming the vote legally inadmissible. This position suggests fundamental concerns regarding the procedure, which, however, did not find sufficient support within the council majority.

Economic prospects

Representatives of Sunvest GmbH expressed optimism regarding the project's economic prospects following the council meeting. Unlike other solar park projects, where investors have to actively seek out electricity customers, the Hamburg-based company reported strong interest from potential clients. Several companies had already contacted Sunvest during the planning phase to express interest in purchasing electricity. This demand underscores the region's need for renewable energy and promises rapid economic integration of the solar park.

Personnel decisions in the municipal council

Change in the CDU parliamentary group

Alongside the solar park decision, several important personnel decisions were made. Mayor Christina Winkelmann bid farewell to CDU council member Miles Eckern with a bouquet of flowers and a small gift. Eckern had resigned from the council after six years of service for health reasons.

Borchert Meyer, a 68-year-old Christian Democrat from the village of Braake, will take over his position. This is not Meyer's first time on the council, as he was a member of the CDU faction from 2001 to 2006. At that time, he succeeded his father, Hans-Hinrich Meyer, who had served on the Lemwerder council for 30 years. Meyer will assume all of his predecessor's positions, with the exception of the seat on the Planning and Community Development Committee, which will now be held by CDU faction leader Wolf Rosenhagen.

Fire department leadership newly appointed

Further personnel changes concerned the leadership of the fire department. The council unanimously extended Hartwig Sondag's appointment as municipal fire chief. However, Sondag will not be able to fill the position for the full term, as he will turn 67 in 2029 and will therefore retire approximately one and a half years before the end of his regular term.

Local politicians appointed Lars Prößler as deputy fire chief for a full six-year term. Prößler takes over the position from Wolfgang Eilers, who did not run for re-election.

New appointment to the Council presidency

In another personnel change, Karsten Haye-Warfelmann was elected deputy chairman of the council. This position is important for chairing council meetings when the regular chairman is unavailable.

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Further solar park projects in Lemwerder

The newly approved solar park on the former airfield joins a growing number of photovoltaic projects in the municipality of Lemwerder. Back in May 2024, the municipality issued a public notice regarding the public display of the project-related development plan No. 40 “Solarpark Agri-Photovoltaik Butzhausen”.

In addition, the Hamburg-based solar park developer ENERPARC already operates several ground-mounted solar power plants in the region, which have been equipped with large-scale battery storage systems since November 2024. These storage systems have a nominal DC capacity of 17.8 MWh and enable efficient storage of the generated solar power at 6.9 MW for approximately 2.5 hours.

In addition, farmer Henning Kruse is planning a private agri-photovoltaic park in Lemwerder on an area of 18 hectares, where he wants to generate solar power and produce hay for his cows at the same time.

Locally shaped, globally minded: Lemwerder's contribution to sustainable energy production

The decision by the Lemwerder municipal council marks an important step in the development of renewable energies in the region. The 83-hectare solar park on the former airfield is a significant project that not only contributes to the energy transition but also combines innovative concepts such as energy storage, hydrogen production, and agrivoltaics.

Despite some criticism of the chosen location, the council's majority approval demonstrates the fundamental support for renewable energy in Lemwerder. The various solar park projects in the municipality illustrate that Lemwerder is establishing itself as a location for sustainable energy production. Furthermore, the early demand from potential electricity customers underscores the economic benefits of this development for the region.

Meanwhile, the personnel decisions in the council ensure the continuity of political work in the municipality and bring Borchert Meyer, an experienced local politician, back to the committee, who wants to advocate for a “reasonable, respectful and trusting approach” in the town hall.

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