Vattenfall Builds Hybrid Wind and Solar Power Plant in Germany

Hybrid renewable power generation in Germany
In renewable energy generation, electricity infrastructure, and grid integration, hybrid power plants combining multiple renewable technologies are increasingly used to optimize energy production and reduce grid stress. By integrating different generation sources within the same site, operators can improve grid utilization and balance variable power output.

Vattenfall has started construction of the Hommerdingen-Biesdorf hybrid power plant in south-west Germany, the company’s first project in the country combining wind and photovoltaic (PV) generation within a single installation. The project follows a hybrid concept that Vattenfall has already implemented in the Netherlands.

The facility is located across the municipalities of Hommerdingen and Biesdorf in the Südeifel region, near the Luxembourg border. Commissioning of the hybrid plant is currently scheduled for autumn 2026.

Combining wind and solar generation at a single site
The hybrid power plant integrates four wind turbines manufactured by Enercon with a total rated capacity of 17 MW. In addition, the solar component of the project will include more than 12,000 photovoltaic modules providing a rated output of 7.6 MWp.

The wind turbines will be installed in the Hommerdingen area, while the photovoltaic installation will be built in Biesdorf. Together, the two generation systems form a hybrid renewable installation designed to deliver electricity from complementary energy sources.

Wind and solar generation profiles often differ throughout the day and across seasons. Solar power typically peaks during daytime hours, while wind production may occur at different times depending on weather conditions. Combining both technologies at one site can therefore improve overall power availability.

Shared grid connection to optimize infrastructure use
A key technical feature of the project is the shared grid connection for both the wind and solar installations. Instead of connecting the photovoltaic plant separately, the solar park will be integrated into the grid via the existing wind park infrastructure operated by the local distribution grid operator Westnetz.

From a technical perspective, the solar installation will be treated as an additional wind turbine within the same grid connection point, allowing the entire hybrid facility to operate with a single connection to the distribution network.

This configuration can reduce infrastructure requirements and improve the efficiency of grid utilization compared with connecting multiple renewable installations independently.

Reducing grid load through complementary generation
Hybrid renewable systems can also contribute to grid stability by smoothing variations in electricity production. Because wind and solar resources typically peak at different times, the combined generation profile may reduce sudden fluctuations in power output.

According to Vattenfall, this complementary production behavior can reduce grid congestion and lower the risk of grid overload, particularly at the distribution network level.

Sharing a single grid connection can also reduce grid connection costs compared with developing two independent renewable installations, which may contribute to lower overall electricity generation costs.

Hybrid renewable projects in Europe
Hybrid renewable installations are becoming more common as electricity systems integrate larger shares of renewable energy. These projects can combine wind, solar, and battery storage technologies to improve operational flexibility.

In the Netherlands, Vattenfall already operates the Haringvliet hybrid project, which combines wind turbines, photovoltaic generation, and battery storage in a single energy system.

In Germany, the company is evaluating similar hybrid concepts and is considering integrating battery storage systems into solar parks, depending on local grid conditions and project requirements.

The Hommerdingen-Biesdorf hybrid power plant represents one of the company’s first steps in applying this approach within the German renewable energy market.

www.group.vattenfall.com