thyssenkrupp Rasselstein, Germany’s sole producer of tinplate, is constructing a large-scale, ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) system on its plant grounds in Andernach.

The project is being delivered in partnership with VSB Integrated Energy Solutions, a subsidiary of the VSB Group (part of TotalEnergies since 2025). Built under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), VSB will handle the financing, construction, and operation of the plant, whilst thyssenkrupp Rasselstein will supply the land and purchase 100% of the solar electricity generated to reduce the carbon footprint of its tinplate production.

Construction is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, with completion targeted for mid-2027.

The solar installation will cover 5.2 hectares across two previously undeveloped plots on the factory grounds. Featuring around 12,000 solar modules, the plant will deliver a peak capacity of 8 megawatts (MW) and generate roughly 8 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually.

In a closed-loop supply chain approach, the steel substructure for the solar arrays will be built using thyssenkrupp Steel’s own carbon-reduced bluemint Steel, coated with ZM EcoProtect Solar, a protective finish developed specifically for ground-mounted PV systems.

Commenting on the agreement, Dr Thorsten Krenke, CTO of thyssenkrupp Rasselstein, said: “Construction is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. Completion of the PV system is scheduled for mid-2027.

“Our goal was to meet part of our green electricity needs locally. The result is the construction of an on-site PV plant, which demonstrates that this is also possible in an established industrial setting.”

Frederic Wagner, Managing Director of VSB Integrated Energy Solutions, added: “With the project in Andernach, thyssenkrupp Rasselstein is demonstrating how renewable electricity can be used directly at the plant site. As the implementation partner, we are handling the planning, financing, construction, and operation of the system. In this way, we are creating a reliable on-site solution that contributes to decarbonisation and offers long-term planning security.”

The project forms part of Thyssenkrupp Steel’s wider energy and decarbonisation strategy, which currently sees more than 20% of its total electricity needs sourced via PPAs.

Dennis Becher, Head of Energy Management at Thyssenkrupp Steel, noted: “The new on-site PPA between thyssenkrupp Rasselstein and VSB Integrated Energy Solutions combines local generation and local consumption with long-term price hedging and sustainability, making it another building block in our growing green power portfolio.”