Groundbreaking in Bavaria: 268 MW Schafhöfen Solar Park to Supply Deutsche Bahn ICE Trains with Electricity

Mötzing/Schafhöfen – Blue Elephant Energy has officially broken ground in Schafhöfen near Regensburg on one of Germany’s largest ground-mounted solar parks. With a capacity of 268 megawatt peak (MWp) and Deutsche Bahn as the main off-taker, the project sets new benchmarks for industrial solar power supply and the energy transition in Bavaria.

For Blue Elephant Energy, Schafhöfen is more than an individual project: the Hamburg-based developer and independent power producer aims to expand its portfolio from the current 2.11 gigawatts to more than 9.5 gigawatts. The new solar park, which reached construction readiness in a record time of three years, is a prime example of BEE’s growth strategy in solar energy, onshore wind, and battery storage.

Largest Solar Park in the Portfolio: 268 MW and 296,000 MWh Annual Output

In the district of Regensburg, Blue Elephant Energy (BEE) has officially launched construction of the Schafhöfen solar park. With a planned installed capacity of around 268 megawatts peak, the project ranks among the largest ground-mounted photovoltaic installations in Germany. Commissioning is scheduled for September 2027.

Once completed, the plant is expected to generate around 296,000 megawatt hours of electricity annually. This corresponds to the electricity demand of approximately 147,000 households. Deutsche Bahn will act as the main off-taker, using the solar power to operate its ICE high-speed trains. According to BEE, the project will contribute to annual CO₂ savings of around 200,000 tonnes.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, regional political representatives attended alongside financing partner Commerzbank and key project partners. Construction of the solar park is being carried out by Goldbeck Solar, while the grid connection and associated substation are being delivered by Bayernwerk. “With our largest project in Germany to date, we are making a significant contribution to European energy resilience: highly efficient domestic energy generation at the highest safety standard,” said Goldbeck CEO Joachim Goldbeck at the event.

Three Years from Concept to Construction Readiness: Fast Permitting as a Signal

BEE founder and CEO Felix Goedhart highlighted the unusually short development timeline at the groundbreaking ceremony: “BEE brought the solar park to construction readiness in a record time of three years.” He attributed this in particular to constructive cooperation with local authorities: “We would like to extend our special thanks to the municipality and local authorities, who consistently supported the development in a pragmatic and goal-oriented manner. When all partners are committed to success, speed is possible in Germany.”

The rapid project progress is strategically important for BEE. Founded in 2016, the Hamburg-based company pursues a technology-agnostic approach combining solar, onshore wind, and battery storage, with a focus on the European market. The current portfolio of 2.11 gigawatts is set to grow to more than 9.5 gigawatts in the coming years. Internally, Schafhöfen is considered a milestone in this development.

Grid operator Bayernwerk also emphasized the importance of the project. Managing director Dr. Nick Seeger said the project „serves as a true beacon for the region” and that the construction of the substation makes “a key contribution to the integration of renewable energy.” He also underlined the collaborative approach: “The fact that we are implementing this project together with our client and strong partners such as Blue Elephant Energy, GOLDBECK SOLAR, the local municipality, and the landowners underscores the importance of trusting collaboration for the success of the energy transition.”

By the planned commissioning in autumn 2027, PV modules, technical infrastructure, and grid connection will be installed in stages. The project is also expected to generate economic momentum for the municipality of Mötzing and the district of Regensburg during both construction and operation.

Source: IWR Online, 26 May 2026