Wind power, heat and hydrogen for Baruth: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Steinbach praises cross-sector energy concept
During his visit to Baruth/Mark today, Brandenburg's Minister of Economic Affairs, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Steinbach, toured the Classen Group's laminate and fiberboard plant and learned about the planned measures to reduce CO2 emissions. The plant intends to cover its electricity requirements from renewable sources in future. To this end, Classen is planning to build a wind farm together with the naturwind group of companies. In addition, waste heat from production is to be used to supply the neighboring towns of Baruth/Mark and Mückendorf with heat. There are also plans to generate hydrogen on site to produce synthetic fuels or chemical base materials. Jörg Steinbach was impressed by the overall concept: “The wind power remains entirely in the region. This project shows how the energy transition can work locally. It can contribute to a secure and affordable energy supply,” said Steinbach.
For the Classen Group, the success of this energy project is crucial in order to secure around 1,000 local jobs. “We need the wind farm to guarantee our energy supply. We make the waste heat from our production available to the regional heating network free of charge,” explained André Hennig, Managing Director of Fiberboard GmbH, a Classen Group company. A heat pump will bring the waste heat to the required temperature. The electricity for this is supplied by the wind farm. “This type of circular economy directly benefits local people, secures jobs and ensures an affordable heat supply. This is what a successful energy transition looks like - a role model for Brandenburg and the whole of Germany,” says Ines Seiler, regional councillor of the Havelland-Fläming planning community from Baruth/Mark. The approval process for the wind farm is due to start this year. The environmental studies, including the mapping of resting and breeding birds, are nearing completion. The town of Baruth/Mark is developing a development plan. The aim is to start building the wind farm in 2026.
The partner for the heat supply is EMB Energie Brandenburg GmbH. “We are now starting to plan the heating network,” says EMB project manager Tom Beier. In July, the project initiators received the funding decision for the heating network planning: around 630,000 euros from the federal funding for efficient heating networks. The aim is to put the heating network into operation for the 2026/27 heating season.
Brandenburg's Minister of Economic Affairs Jörg Steinbach also welcomed the plans for hydrogen production in Baruth/Mark. The plan is to produce methanol from hydrogen, which will be used as a precursor for glue production to further advance the decarbonization of fibreboard production. “The collaboration with Classen creates a special local synergy effect here,” explained naturwind project manager Stephan Wiggeshoff.
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 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.
Picture: Group photo at the factory gate. Minister of Economic Affairs Jörg Steinbach (3rd from left) was welcomed by the project initiators at the Classen plant: on the right Fiberboard Managing Director André Hennig, 2nd from left naturwind Managing Director Bernd Jeske with Project Manager Stephan Wiggeshoff (3rd from right). Also present were EMB Managing Director Leif Christian Cropp (l.) as well as Regional Councillor Ines Seiler and Deputy District Administrator Dietlind Biesterfeld (2nd from right). Photo: Classen
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