Austrian energy utility Verbund has completed and commissioned a 15.4 MWp solar power plant at Holcim’s Mannersdorf cement facility in Lower Austria — one of the largest on-site industrial PV installations in the country. The new 17-hectare solar park, operational since mid-2025, marks a significant milestone in Austria’s drive toward industrial decarbonization and energy self-reliance.

Featuring 22,204 photovoltaic modules, the installation is designed to generate approximately 19.3 GWh of clean electricity per year, covering about 15% of the cement plant’s total power needs. Most of the solar energy will be consumed directly on-site, reducing exposure to volatile electricity prices and easing the load on the regional grid.

According to Verbund, the system will avoid up to 15,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, equivalent to removing more than 8,000 passenger cars from the road each year.

“This project demonstrates how renewable power can effectively decarbonize heavy industry while enhancing resilience,” said a Verbund spokesperson. “By integrating on-site solar with stable grid operations, we’re paving the way for smarter, cleaner industrial energy systems.”

Holcim Austria described the Mannersdorf solar park as a cornerstone in its roadmap to fully power the plant with renewable energy by 2030. The initiative complements Holcim’s global “Accelerating Green Growth” strategy, which focuses on low-carbon materials, energy efficiency, and circular production processes.

Technical and Environmental Impact

• Installed capacity: 15.44 MWp

• Modules: 22,204

• Annual generation: ~19.3 GWh (≈1,250 kWh/kWp/year)

• Self-consumption: >90% (continuous baseload operation)

• CO₂e avoided: up to 15,000 t/year (~375,000 t over 25 years)

• Grid impact: up to 15 MW of daytime demand offset, easing feeder/substation loading

• Inverter capabilities: reactive power and fast-ramping support for grid stability

The Mannersdorf project joins Verbund’s expanding portfolio of industrial solar partnerships, underscoring rising demand for renewable power across Europe’s energy-intensive sectors.

With Austria targeting 100% renewable electricity by 2030, collaborations like this between utilities and major manufacturers are expected to play a defining role in achieving national climate goals while strengthening industrial competitiveness.

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