25 years of Statkraft in Germany – growth with a clear vision: renewing the way the world is powered

• Shaper of the energy transition with solutions for a CO2-free future
• Top ten onshore wind farm operator in Germany
• Leading partner in the decarbonisation of energy and mobility 

"We look back with pride on 25 years of Statkraft in Germany. This quarter of a century, from the liberalisation of the energy market to the energy transition, has been marked by events that demanded flexibility and innovation from market participants. Be it the decision to phase out nuclear power, the end of coal-fired power generation or the halt in Russian gas supplies," said Stefan-Jörg Göbel, Statkraft Country Manager in Germany. 

"The impact on the climate cannot be overlooked. That's why every investment in renewable energies is worth the money. As a shaper of the energy transition, we develop solutions that lead energy producers, companies and energy suppliers into a CO2-free future and support them in decarbonising the electricity, heating and mobility sectors. With our current generation and marketing portfolio, we are ideally positioned to protect the climate and make the supply of energy from the sun, wind, water or biomass possible for everyone. We do this with a team of 700 colleagues from 50 countries who, in addition to their extensive expertise, also have the passion and enthusiasm to want to make a difference in the market", continues Stefan-Jörg Göbel.

300 to 500 MW wind and solar capacity development and expansion per year in Germany

"We achieved strong growth last year. We are now one of the ten largest onshore wind farm operators in Germany. We are extremely proud of this and of our project pipeline of almost 2,000 MW," says Claus Urbanke, Vice President Wind, Solar & Storage Development. 

The energy transition is progressing. Germany clearly exceeded its expansion targets for photovoltaics last year, but the picture is different for onshore wind. In 2030, the installed capacity of onshore wind energy is set to double compared to 2023 to 115 gigawatts (GW). However, the latest annual growth of 3,000 megawatts (MW) is not enough to achieve this expansion target. There is still a lot to be done here, be it in the zoning of areas, in permitting processes or in the area of community participation.

In 2024, Statkraft will focus on the development of its extensive repowering portfolio. The company is expecting the first approval under the Federal Immission Control Act for the Flechtdorf repowering wind farm in northern Hesse shortly. Further permit applications will be submitted in the coming months. Statkraft will also shortly make the final investment decision for the Zerbst combined solar storage project in Saxony-Anhalt. Construction is then set to begin quickly with the aim of commissioning the plant by the end of 2025.

Partner for decarbonisation in the areas of electricity and mobility

Statkraft also looks back with pride on the last 25 years in the area of origination and direct marketing. "We have always been at the forefront with our innovative products," says Sascha Schröder, Vice President Central European Origination. "After entering the market in 1999 with structured trading, the introduction of direct marketing in 2012 was a major milestone with over 10 GW of renewable energy in our portfolio. When the first onshore wind turbines ran out of EEG subsidy in January 2021, we brought together the interests of the plant operators with the industry's need for CO2-free electricity and realised the only 24/7 green power PPA in Germany to date," continues Sascha Schröder. 

Green power solutions are now not only the most sustainable, but also the cheapest. For example, Statkraft concluded the first PPA for green hydrogen in Germany in 2023 and realised electricity price compensation-capable green power PPAs for numerous energy-intensive companies in the metal industry. For 2024, Statkraft is planning PPAs that combine green power generation plants with batteries to give industrial customers even more planning security when purchasing green electricity by combining batteries with the fluctuating feed-in of renewable energies.

Top 10 hydrogen producer in Germany 

Statkraft is also making further progress in the field of hydrogen and is pursuing the medium-term goal of becoming one of the top 10 producers of green hydrogen in Germany. "Preparations are underway for the pilot project at the existing power plant site in Emden with an initial generation capacity of 10 MW, and we expect it to be commissioned in 2026," says Helge Beil, Vice President Hydrogen Germany. The aim is to operate large-scale electrolysers for the production of green hydrogen with a total output of around 200 MW connected to the future hydrogen core network in Emden by the end of the decade. Initially, the green hydrogen is to be supplied to petrol stations and industrial customers and then traded on future wholesale markets. 

At the Emden site, Statkraft is pursuing a sustainable development approach by utilising existing infrastructure and not sealing any additional areas.

Necessary political course-setting in Germany

Wind & Solar

Statkraft welcomes the numerous simplifications in the permitting processes for solar and wind projects in Germany. However, Statkraft still sees room for improvement when it comes to realising the land use targets. The expansion could be accelerated through the consistent utilisation of municipal land. Just as important is a standardised nationwide interpretation of community participation laws. 

Origination and direct marketing

Statkraft firmly believes that the energy transition will only be successful in the long term if the coexistence of Contracts for Difference (CfD) and market-based Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) is guaranteed. The introduction of a new subsidy scheme must under no circumstances slow down the market for power purchase agreements, which is developing extremely well. In addition to the aspect of CO2 reduction, PPAs are the most important instrument for industrial companies for predictable and long-term hedging against rising or highly fluctuating electricity prices. Stable regulatory framework conditions and the restoration of trust in the markets are of central importance. The energy market is strong and efficient - and will continue to produce the most efficient solutions.   

Hydrogen

Statkraft welcomes the draft of the hydrogen core network. In the next step, hydrogen-producing companies need clarity on pipeline construction and non-discriminatory access to the hydrogen grid. For example, the feed-in capacity of IPCEI-independent hydrogen producers should be included in the dimensioning of the hydrogen core network at 100% and not just 50%. Statkraft is also in favour of wholesale hydrogen markets with market-friendly framework conditions, comparable to those for gas and power. Furthermore, intermediaries between hydrogen producers and operators of renewable energy plants are important contracting parties in electricity supply contracts for the production of green hydrogen.