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Parliamentary State Secretary learns about pioneering energy project in Baruth/Mark

"Energy for Baruth": Michael Kellner praises regional and cross-sector energy supply concept

Michael Kellner, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, visited Baruth/Mark yesterday to find out about the local energy supply concept for industry and residents of the Brandenburg municipality. Together with the Classen Group and other partners, the naturwind Group is planning to build a wind farm, a heating network and a hydrogen plant. The "Energy for Baruth" project pursues a decentralized and holistic approach. It aims to supply industry and residents regionally with electricity and heat. The wind power generated remains 100 percent in the region.

 "This project impresses with its idea. The wind farm secures jobs at the Classen company and also helps to supply heat to the town of Baruth. Such concepts are crucial for the success of the energy transition," says Michael Kellner. The Classen Group operates a laminate and fiberboard plant in Baruth. The plant's electricity requirements are to be covered by renewable sources in future. "The wind farm will not only supply clean electricity, but also offer a solution for the use of waste heat," says André Hennig, Managing Director of Fiberboard GmbH, a Classen Group company. Waste heat from laminate and fiberboard production is to be used to supply the neighboring towns of Baruth and Mückendorf with heat. Unavoidable industrial waste heat is treated as renewable energy. The residents thus receive a green heating solution and meet the requirements of the Building Energy Act. "This project is also characterized by the fact that it takes a cross-sectoral view of the municipal heat supply. A heat pump will raise the industrial waste heat to the required temperature level. This requires wind power," explains Stephan Wiggeshoff, project manager for naturwind. When it comes to heat, EMB Energie Brandenburg GmbH completes the project initiators naturwind and Classen. "We are delighted that EMB is contributing its expertise as a regional heat supplier," says Stephan Wiggeshoff. The heating network planning is to begin soon, soba

The energy concept for Baruth goes even further: there are plans to produce hydrogen on site in order to obtain synthetic fuels or chemical base materials, for example green methanol for the laminate and fiberboard plant's glue production.

About naturwind:

naturwind is an experienced renewable energy company dedicated to the development, planning and operation of wind farms. Around 70 employees in the naturwind group of companies also take care of interfaces for the storage of electricity generated from renewable sources and its use in other energy sectors, for example for heat generation, as synthetic fuels or chemical base materials. With a strong focus on innovation, sustainability and regionality, naturwind is working to create a clean and reliable energy supply for the future. The projects in the state of Brandenburg are managed by naturwind Potsdam.

About the Classen Group:

As a leading German manufacturer of wall and floor coverings, the family-owned company stands for technological leadership and sustainability. Under the motto "Floors For A Better Tomorrow", the approximately 2,000 employees of the Classen Group are committed to a sustainable future in all areas of the value chain. Classen does not use chlorine, PVC or plasticizers for its environmentally friendly wall and floor coverings. With numerous patents that are available to the entire industry, the company not only underlines its own independence, but also its continuous commitment to our livelihoods. The laminate and fiberboard plant in Baruth was put into operation in 2002 and today employs 1,000 people.

About EMB: As a regional energy partner, EMB has been supplying almost 145,000 private, commercial and industrial customers in Brandenburg as well as municipal utilities and regional suppliers with gas and green electricity for over 30 years. The company aims to promote the energy and heating transition in the state of Brandenburg. Whether gas, electricity or energy solutions: The aim is for all EMB products and services to be climate-neutral by 2040. As a heating service provider for cities and municipalities, EMB also relies on local cooperation.

State Secretary Michael Kellner (2nd from left) listens to Naturwind project manager Stephan Wiggeshoff explain the plans for the Baruth-Mückendorf wind farm. Right: Naturwind Managing Director Bernd Jeske and SPD member of the district parliament Ines Seiler. Photos: EMB

State Secretary Michael Kellner (left) is welcomed at the fiberboard plant by Fiberboard Managing Director André Hennig (2nd from right), together with Naturwind Managing Director Bernd Jeske (right) and Project Manager Stephan Wiggeshoff.

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