Berlin Launches One of Europe’s Largest Power-to-Heat Projects: 120 MW Facility to Transform Renewable Energy into District Heating
Berlin, May 6, 2026 – Berlin is embarking on a transformative energy project with the launch of one of Europe’s largest Power-to-Heat (PtH) facilities. Located at the Berlin-Mitte combined heat and power plant, this 120-megawatt installation is a collaborative effort between BEW Berliner Energie und Wärme, transmission system operator 50Hertz, and Stromnetz Berlin. The project, slated for commissioning by the end of 2028, is a pivotal component of the energy transition, aiming to convert surplus renewable electricity into district heating, thereby reducing curtailment of wind and solar power in northeastern Germany and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels.
Bridging the Gap: Power-to-Heat for a Flexible Energy System
Power-to-Heat technology is central to sector coupling within the energy transition. It involves converting excess electricity from renewable sources into heat, which helps minimize the curtailment of renewable energy, replaces fossil fuels, and boosts system flexibility. The Berlin project will specifically utilize electricity surpluses from redispatch and congestion management, ensuring that energy generated from wind and solar farms, which would otherwise be curtailed due to grid constraints, is put to productive use.
Dirk Biermann, COO of 50Hertz, emphasized the importance of this project: “For an electricity system with ever more wind and solar energy, we need flexible consumers that can absorb power at short notice when electricity is in abundance.” He further noted that the facility at HKW Mitte is a crucial building block for alleviating grid bottlenecks and integrating renewable electricity into the capital’s heat supply.
Political Endorsement and Environmental Impact
The Berlin Senate views this project as a significant step towards achieving its energy transition goals. State Secretary Severin Fischer stated, “By efficiently using renewable electricity instead of curtailing it, we not only strengthen our supply security and independence but also drive climate protection and the decarbonization of district heating supply.”
The environmental benefits are substantial. Over its first five years of operation, the facility is projected to save approximately 76,000 tons of CO2, primarily by reducing the use of fossil fuels at the Berlin-Mitte combined heat and power plant. Looking ahead, the plant is expected to supply district heating to over 30,000 households in winter and provide hot water for around 360,000 households in summer.
Kerstin Busch, Technical Managing Director of BEW, highlighted the direct impact: “With the Power-to-Heat plant at HKW Mitte, electricity from wind and solar plants will be directly usable for around 30,000 district heating customers and will help reduce CO2 emissions.”
Technological Advancements and Financial Commitment
The project’s technical scope includes three electrode boilers, each with a thermal output of 40 megawatts, two grid transformers, and a new switchgear. Additionally, the existing district heating pump station will undergo modernization to enhance the hydraulic performance of the network. Future plans also include the integration of a river water heat pump at the site.
Financially, 50Hertz is a major contributor, investing up to 75 million euros in the project. The partners anticipate that the investment will be recouped within approximately five years. Under a redispatch agreement, 50Hertz will have access to control the plant for five years, ensuring its optimal integration into the grid management system.
Stromnetz Berlin is responsible for adapting the grid connection to accommodate the large volumes of electricity required by the facility. Bernhard Büllmann, Managing Director of Stromnetz Berlin, underscored the project’s contribution to decarbonizing the heat supply.
A Blueprint for Urban Decarbonization
The decarbonization of heat supply is considered a key lever for Berlin’s climate targets by 2045. The Power-to-Heat plant at HKW Mitte represents one of Europe’s largest projects for the direct utilization of surplus renewable electricity for urban district heating. This initiative sets a precedent for other cities aiming to integrate renewable energy more effectively into their heating infrastructure, marking a significant step towards a sustainable and flexible energy future.
Source: solarbranche.de
