WV Energie AG Plans Battery Storage and Data Center on Former Power Plant Site in Werdohl

WV Energie AG, based in Bad Vilbel, plans to develop a battery storage facility and a data center on the former power plant site in Elverlingsen, Werdohl. The city council recently retracted a decision to establish a sustainable business district due to the high planning costs of €500,000.

The municipality does not own the land, which was previously sold by Enervie, the former coal power operator. The infrastructure for transporting large amounts of electrical energy remains intact at the site.

Batteries are increasingly seen as a climate-friendly alternative to diesel generators in data centers. New regulations classify large battery storage as 'privileged construction projects,' allowing for expedited approval. The timeline for the project remains unclear, as demolition work is still ongoing, with completion expected by summer 2026.