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Key Step Toward New Dispatchable Power Generation Capacity: Preliminary Approval for CCGT Plant at Staudinger
Key Step Toward New Dispatchable Power Generation Capacity: Preliminary Approval for CCGT Plant at
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" style="display: inline-block; line-height: 1; vertical-align: bottom; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-align: center;"> Share Share 260430_Uebergabe Vorbescheid Staudinger_Uniper f.l.t.r.: Andrea Henkes (Darmstadt Regional Council) District President Prof. Dr. Jan Hilligardt, Andreas Armenat (Head of the Staudinger Power Plant at Uniper) Image source: Uniper Kraftwerke GmbH Download Media Kit Preparing your download... Download An error occurred while preparing your download Düsseldorf, 30 April 2026 | 15:00 Europe/Berlin Key Step Toward New Dispatchable Power Generation Capacity: Preliminary Approval for CCGT Plant at Staudinger Summary Darmstadt Regional Authority issues preliminary approval for the planned hydrogen-ready gas-fired power plant (Unit 8) at the Staudinger power station Key questions regarding feasibility and permissibility resolved early and with binding effect First partial permit application planned for Q3 2026 Project to be entered into auctions under the draft legislation on securing electricity supply reliability and providing new capacity (Strom VKG) Großkrotzenburg. With today's issuance of the preliminary approval by district president Prof. Dr. Jan Hilligardt, head of the Darmstadt Regional Authority (Regierungspräsidium Darmstadt), the permitting process for the planned Unit 8 at the Staudinger site has reached an important milestone. The new hydrogen-ready combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant, with a planned electrical feed-in capacity of up to 890 megawatts, is designed to secure the Grosskrotzenburg power station's long-term role as a key energy hub in the Rhine-Main region. At the same time, it will contribute flexible, dispatchable generation capacity that Germany's power system needs for a successful energy transition. With this project, Uniper plans to participate in the auctions envisioned under the Strom VKG. During the preliminary approval process, Uniper worked with the Darmstadt Regional Authority to resolve key questions regarding the project's feasibility and permissibility at an early stage and with binding effect. The purpose of this procedural step is to minimize project risks as early as possible - before the formal permitting process is initiated. The process placed significant demands on all parties involved. Key areas of focus included strict air pollutant emission requirements as well as complex issues related to habitat (FFH) and species protection. In addition, there were challenging requirements arising from the local zoning plan. The process was coordinated in close collaboration with technology partner Siemens Energy. " The preliminary approval for Staudinger 8 is a milestone for the development of this site and the result of intensive and constructive collaboration with the Darmstadt Regional Authority. We navigated a demanding process - involving complex issues, numerous stakeholders, and around 150 application documents. The fact that we have now resolved these questions early and with binding effect gives us the planning certainty that a project of this scale requires. Staudinger is a site with a future and today is an important step in that direction. Andreas Armenat, Head of the Staudinger Power Plant at Uniper " " With the preliminary approval from the Darmstadt Regional Authority, Uniper Kraftwerke GmbH has gained planning certainty for its major project. Key issues have been clarified in advance. This saves the company additional work and enables it to proceed with targeted planning for the formal permit application. Prof. Dr. Jan Hilligardt, Regional President " Following the completion of the preliminary approval process, Uniper is now focusing on the next steps: The first partial permit - covering subsurface infrastructure - is expected to be submitted in Q3 2026, with the second partial permit for construction and operation of the plant to follow in Q2 2027. Uniper is progressively transforming the Staudinger power station into a future-ready energy hub. The focus is on decommissioning conventional plant components that are no longer needed, modernizing existing infrastructure, and preparing for new uses. In addition to Staudinger 8, these include the exploration of battery storage solutions and, in the longer term, the establishment of data centers. This transformation draws on the deep technical expertise and operational experience at the site and is carried out in close coordination with regional stakeholders - with the goal of bringing together energy security, transformation, and long-term prospects for the location. About Uniper Düsseldorf-based Uniper is a European energy company with global reach and operations in more than 40 countries. It has about 7,000 employees and plays a key role in ensuring a secure energy supply in Europe, particularly in its core markets of Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Uniper's 18.5 gigawatts of power generating capacity make it a mainstay of reliable power production. Uniper is a leading gas trader and one of Northwestern Europe's most important LNG importers, and its broad procurement portfolio enhances supply security. Uniper's investments in renewables, hydrogen, and other low-carbon energy carriers propel the transformation of the energy system. Uniper provides energy and services to about 1,000 municipalities and industrial companies in its home market, Germany. Uniper is also Germany's largest operator of gas storage facilities and hydropower plants. Boilerplate This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Uniper SE Management and other information currently available to Uniper. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. Uniper SE does not intend, and does not assume any liability whatsoever, to update these forward-looking statements or to modify them to conform with future events or developments.