According to the companies, the agreement with Friesen Elektra is a milestone for Salzgitter’s Lower Saxony location, as well as Lower Saxony itself. 

“The agreement underscores the strategic importance of renewable energies for our location, promotes competitiveness, while sending a strong signal for Lower Saxony’s sustainable future – fully in line with the ongoing transformation. Initiatives like these demonstrate how the economic interests of our region can be intertwined with responsibility for the environment,” said Minister of Economic Affairs Olaf Lies. 

The agreement and solar farm complement an existing wind farm that, combined, will deliver more than 120 MW of electricity. 

“The partnership with Friesen Elektra constitutes another key element of our strategic journey toward producing virtually carbon-neutral steel in Salzgitter,” said Salzgitter chief executive officer Gunnar Groebler.

“Implementing sustainable steel along with energy production is becoming increasingly important not only for us, but also for our suppliers and customers. By concluding this new PPA, we have taken another major step toward our goal of producing climate-neutral steel.”