Uniper reinvests €250m in Happurg pumped storage plant in Bavaria

Uniper has announced a substantial investment of around €250 million to re-commission the Happurg pumped storage plant, located east of Nuremberg, Bavaria. This initiative marks a significant step in bolstering the reliability of energy infrastructure in the region and supports Uniper’s shift towards renewable energy sources.

The Happurg facility, which boasts a capacity of 160 megawatts and can store approximately 850 megawatt-hours of electricity, is pivotal in enhancing the security of energy supply in southern Germany. The plant, the largest of its kind in Bavaria, plays a critical role in stabilizing power supply by balancing peak loads and storing excess energy.

Originally shut down in 2011 for safety reasons, the Happurg plant has undergone extensive subsoil investigations and geotechnical assessments. These studies have culminated in a feasible technical concept for the rehabilitation of the upper reservoir, ensuring the plant’s economic and operational revival. The restoration project, approved by the District Office of Nuremberg, includes a comprehensive overhaul of the powerhouse equipment. Construction has commenced, with plans for the plant to be operational by 2028.

Michael Lewis, CEO of Uniper, emphasized the strategic importance of this investment, linking it directly to the company’s broader goals of achieving a greener business model and addressing the energy demands of industrially robust regions like southern Germany. “Especially in southern Germany, with its strong industrial demand, there is a lack of predictable power plant capacity. With the Happurg pumped-storage plant, we want to make more storage capacity available again,” stated Lewis.

The investment in the Happurg plant is a testament to Uniper’s commitment to sustainable energy development and its strategy to enhance energy reliability in southern Germany. The facility’s role in the energy transition, particularly in an area with high industrial energy demands, underscores the critical nature of investing in infrastructure that can adapt to and complement renewable energy sources.