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Solarpark Alsheim-Mettenheim takes the next hurdle in the approval process

Published on: May 8, 2025 / update from: May 8, 2025 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein

Solarpark Alsheim-Mettenheim takes the next hurdle in the approval process-creative image: xpert.digital

Milestone in the Solarpark project Alsheim achieved: public interpretation begins

The municipal council gives green lichi and public participation: the future of the solar park takes on shape

An important stage has been reached in the planning process for the planned Solarpark Alsheim/Mettenheim. On April 7, 2025, the municipal council of the local municipality of Alsheim took the decision on early participation in accordance with Section 3 (1) BauGB IVM Section 4 (1) BauGB, which included the project in the public interpretation phase. This step marks an important milestone in the approval process for the planned large photovoltaic system, which is to be built between the municipalities of Alsheim and Mettenheim.

Current project development and public participation

After the establishment decision, which was already taken on October 14, 2024 by the Alsheim local council, the procedure is now entering the phase of citizen participation. The establishment decision was announced on November 28, 2024 in the news sheet of the Eich association. At the same time, the municipal council of Eich decided on 11.11.2024 to initiate the procedure for the partial change of the land use plan, which is to be changed from “area for agriculture” to “special construction areas for photovoltaics”.

The public now has the opportunity to take an insight into the planning documents and to give statements. This early participation ensures that concerns and suggestions from the citizens and the sponsor of public issues can incorporate into the further planning process.

Urban planning contract signed

Another important step was the approval of the urban development contract with the project provider, WiWi Consult GmbH & Co. KG from Mainz, by the local council Alsheim. Among other things, this agreement regulates the assumption of costs for the land use planning by the investor and thus forms an essential basis for further project development.

Location and scope of the planned solar park

The solar park is to be built on an area of around 39 hectares, with about 24 hectares on the Alsheim district and about 15 hectares on the Mettenheim district. The planning area is strategically located about 800 meters south of the Siedlung body Alsheim, between the Mainz-Mannheim railway line in the west and the federal road B 9 in the east (about 600 m east).

This location is particularly advantageous, since the plan area is completely within the 500-meter corridor that is eligible in accordance with EEG 2023 along rail paths. This aspect is of crucial importance for the economic load capacity of the project, since since January 2023 open space systems on motorways and railways have been generally permitted under construction planning law, provided that there are no public interests.

Use of agricultural areas

The predominant planning area is currently being used as arable land. The property areas are largely secured by the project carrier through long -term lease contracts. Adjacent municipal areas (business paths) can be used to develop the solar park.

Meaning for climate protection and regional energy supply

The planned solar park is part of the climate protection efforts of the Eich association. Three wind turbines were already built in the Alsheim district in 2013, and the municipality continuously expands photovoltaic systems on municipal roof areas, such as recently on the daycare centers in Mettenheim and Hamm am Rhein.

The establishment of the solar park represents an important contribution to achieving the energy policy objectives of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate and supports the efforts to turn the energy transition. According to the amended EEG 2023, 215 gigawatts of installed photovoltaic performance nationwide are set as an intermediate destination in 2030.

Comparison with other projects

For comparison: the recently put into operation in Rhineland-Palatinate in the Südeifel comprises eleven locations on an area of the equivalent of more than 300 soccer fields and can supply around 60,000 households with renewable electricity. The cost of this mega project amounts to around 150 million euros.

Further procedure and schedule

According to the current phase of early participation, a commissioned planning office will create the necessary documents and plan designs. The next procedural step follows the formal interpretation of the development plan.

The implementation of the project is bound to the remuneration of the EEG tender, which means that the project cannot yet be guaranteed. Nevertheless, the previous progress shows that there is a strong interest in realization from both the municipal side and the investor.

Success factor location: Solar park planned on the railway line

With the decision on early participation, the Solarpark Alsheim/Mettenheim has taken up an important hurdle in the approval process. The strategically favorable location along the railway line and the already secured lease contracts offer good conditions for successful implementation of the project.

The planned solar park shows an example of how the regional energy transition can be promoted and how agricultural areas can be used several times. For the community of Eich and the participating municipalities Alsheim and Mettenheim, the implementation of the project would be a significant step towards sustainable and climate -friendly energy supply.

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