Press release, 24/02/2025
The Ortenau District Office has granted approval for the construction and operation of two Vestas V-172-7.2 MW wind turbines in Achern. The installation and operation of the turbines at the fischer group’s site in Achern-Fautenbach will be managed by the two project partners, fischer group and Ökostromgruppe Freiburg. The electricity generated by these turbines will primarily be used for the company’s self-supply and, in a next step, for the production of “green hydrogen.”
The two 261-meter-high wind turbines will be built on a site in close proximity to the company's facilities in Achern-Fautenbach. Each turbine has a nominal capacity of 7.2 MW and will generate a total of 26 million kWh of electricity per year. This project not only ensures a sustainable power supply for our production processes but also supports our goal of significantly reducing CO₂ emissions and increasing the share of renewable energy in its energy supply. The electricity produced will also be used specifically for the generation of green hydrogen for internal production—an initiative that is unique within the Ortenau district.
Hans-Peter Fischer, Managing Partner of the fischer group, expressed his enthusiasm for this important milestone: "Another key step in our forward-thinking overall concept, the fischer Energy Ecosystem. With the approval of these two wind turbines, an innovative idea is now becoming reality. We will be able to cover approximately two-thirds of our total electricity demand with self-generated green power. Additionally, we will use this green electricity to produce green hydrogen, which is directly needed and consumed in our thermal processes. Some of this hydrogen will also be stored in a metal hydride storage system, fully equipped with fischer stainless steel tubes, allowing for reconversion into electricity when needed. Through these measures, we will reduce our CO₂ emissions by around 70%, lower and stabilize energy costs, and thus secure both jobs and the sustainable development of our site."
Ortenau District Administrator Thorsten Erny also welcomed the approval of the project: "We are very pleased with the approval of this pioneering project. The construction of the first wind turbines in the Ortenau district dedicated to a company’s self-supply sends a strong signal for the local energy transition and the implementation of sustainable production processes. This step contributes to achieving climate targets at the regional level and strengthens the Ortenau district as a business location."
The wind turbines are expected to be operational by late 2026 or early 2027.