In a cross-company cooperation, the real estate group Goodman, the renewable energy company BayWa r.e. and the wholesaler Metro are setting a clear example for more sustainability and climate protection. At the Metro logistics site in Marl, a solar rooftop installation with around 6 MW was opened on the two existing buildings, and on the second building, with around 12 MW, the largest solar rooftop installation in Germany at present. In total, the two plants correspond to an area of 14 soccer fields with 43,000 installed photovoltaic modules and a total output of 18 MW. At the same time, the companies are making a significant contribution to the promotion of renewable energies and the implementation of the ambitious climate targets of the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy and Deputy Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia: "Germany's largest rooftop photovoltaic plant is now located here in Marl in the Ruhr region. As a lighthouse project, the project realized in close cooperation is exemplary for the sustainable energy generation of the future and for the accelerated expansion of solar energy here in North Rhine-Westphalia. Inexpensive, locally produced electricity is now key location factor for companies and a key for our state on its way to becoming the first climate-neutral industrial region in Europe.“
Self-consumption – excess energy into the grid
The photovoltaic system generates enough clean electricity to meet Metro Logistics' own needs at the site and feed excess energy into the grid. In addition, the entire building complex has already been awarded the Gold Certificate of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB). In the process, Metro Logistics, as operator of the property, has worked with Goodman as an international real estate group, and BayWa r.e. as a developer, service provider and solution provider in the field of renewable energies.
Also interesting: Fully climate-neutral PV logistics centre
Christof Prange, Managing Director of Goodman Germany GmbH, emphasizes: "We are consistently expanding capacities for the generation of green energy and thus making our contribution to a rapid energy turnaround. The 18 MW we are operating in Marl is roughly equivalent to the electricity requirements of 5,100 households."
Goodman
And Günter Haug, COO at BayWa r.e. adds: "Large industrial and commercial real estate groups such as Goodman play a key role in helping companies to make optimal use of their large roof areas to generate renewable energy. This lighthouse project serves as an important signpost and showcase for industrial and logistics companies that want to make a real difference when it comes to sustainability."
Important step for the climate strategy of Metro
For Metro as an international wholesaler, climate protection is of particular importance in many areas. With 102 stores in Germany alone, the challenges are manifold, for example in topics such as the renewal of the heating infra- structure, the conversion of cooling systems to natural coolant as well as an expansion of the electric vehicle fleet and the increased use of photovoltaic systems. Christiane Giesen, Chief People & Culture Officer, Labor Director and Member of the Executive Board of Metro AG: "The commissioning of the PV plant in Marl is an important step for our climate strategy. Metro has set itself the goal in 2021 of consistently reducing its carbon footprint worldwide and being completely climate neutral in its own business operations by 2040. An ambitious goal - but with good partners and the right framework conditions from policymakers, we are confident that we can achieve this goal and make our contribution to greater climate protection." (hcn)
