Sustainable subsequent utilisation of power sites
The joint company of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and RWE Power AG – Perspektive.Struktur.Wandel GmbH (PSW) – has one main task: the qualification of complex RWE operating sites for their subsequent use. PSW works closely with the municipalities concerned and key stakeholders to ensure a high level of commitment in the formulation of future utilisation goals at an early stage.
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Locations
The locations include, for example, the Neurath power plant site, the former construction site facilities at the Niederaußem power plant and the so-called open-cast facilities of the Hambach open-cast mine with their administrative, social and workshop buildings as well as storage areas. These large sites have excellent infrastructure connections and are very suitable for commercial and industrial re-use or mixed-use areas. As conversion sites, they help to avoid further large-scale land sealing in the region. Structural change is set to gain momentum here, particularly with the establishment of new jobs.
Hambach
The approximately 120-hectare site is divided into two sections. Around 100 hectares are taken up by the open-cast facilities with a coal bunker including railway loading, while the other areas, which are also topographically separated, are home to operating buildings, offices, warehouses and workshops. Good transport connections and the future direct location on the Hambach residual lake are important unique selling points for the subsequent utilisation.
Niederaußem
The area originally intended for the structural expansion of the lignite-fired power plant (BoAplus) and a small, listed farmstead are directly adjacent to the Niederaußem power plant. Together with the expansion areas and the power plant, which will no longer be required for operations in the future, the site, which covers a total of around 230 hectares, has special potential and offers space for future-oriented developments.
Neurath
The Neurath power plant site will become available for subsequent utilisation in stages. Initially, an area of around 32 hectares next to the two newer power plant units (BoA) and a former storage area of around 25 hectares to the south-west of the old part of the power plant will be considered, with a further 50 hectares being considered for new development in stages depending on the shutdown of the individual units by 2038. Thanks to good transport links, the site has good prospects for attracting new jobs.
Frechen
The approximately 65-hectare site of the former Wachtberg briquette factory in Frechen, parts of which are listed buildings, is to become a vibrant centre for work, innovation and business. With its first-class connection to the rail network in the first ring of housing estates around Cologne, it offers ideal conditions for versatile property development.
Sustainable development
The GmbH is based at RWE’s Schloss Paffendorf conference centre in Bergheim. It is tasked with planning extensive site developments in coordination with the respective municipality and preparing their realisation. In doing so, it will harmonise the different interests with regard to subsequent uses. The complex sites require special processes and decision-making channels, extensive stocktaking, qualification through expert opinions and a variety of participation procedures. The aim is to develop viable solutions and prospects for the sites together and on an equal footing with the administrations, RWE and local citizens.