Why hydrogen-ready gas-fired power plants matter now
An energy system based on renewable sources needs firm, dispatchable capacity as a reliable backup. Wind and solar do not always deliver electricity in line with demand – especially during extended periods of low generation in autumn and winter. To meet climate targets while safeguarding a reliable 24/7 electricity supply year-round, LEAG is planning flexible, highly efficient gas-fired power plants that can be converted to hydrogen in stages.
The Federal Government is setting the framework for such investments through its power plant strategy and the Electricity Supply Security and Capacity Act (StromVKG). The aim is to enable a secure coal phase-out and avoid electricity shortages. From the perspective of the lignite-mining regions in eastern Germany, it is important that new capacities are allocated fairly across regions so they can fulfil their key role in the energy transition and structural change.
Flexible backup power plants that can reliably close renewable supply gaps.
Preserving and further developing existing industrial sites with serviced land, grid connections, and skilled workers.
Structural change through transformation: securing jobs and value creation beyond the coal phase-out.
Competences for clean technology
LEAG Clean Power GmbH is the business unit within the LEAG Group responsible for planning, implementing, and operating future-oriented supply concepts. Since 2025, we have been pooling our expertise here in flexible new-build power plants, large-scale storage systems, and hydrogen technologies that support a demand-driven and weather-independent electricity supply. Our teams combine project experience, technical know-how, and regional expertise as they work on essential components of a stable energy system, in particular:
- high‑flexibility battery energy storage systems (BESS) that act as buffer storage, especially for solar and wind power, and help stabilise electricity prices
- backup power plants that reliably bridge extended low-production periods of renewable sources which cannot yet be covered by battery storage alone
Our locations – innovative and regionally anchored
LEAG currently operates three gas turbine power stations that contribute to the stability of the electricity grids:
- Thyrow (150 MW) near Berlin as a capacity reserve in accordance with the Energy Industry Act (EnWG)
- Ahrensfelde (120 MW) near Berlin as a capacity reserve in accordance with the EnWG
- Leipheim (300 MW) near Ulm in Bavaria as special grid-related resource in accordance with the EnWG
We are planning our new H2-ready construction projects specifically at existing power plant and industrial sites, primarily in the lignite mining areas of eastern Germany. Their development into sustainable energy sites not only strengthens security of supply, but also preserves jobs and regional value creation beyond the phase-out of coal.
For our projects, we utilise existing infrastructure, grid connections and the expertise of local specialists – a clear advantage for a stable energy supply and regional development. At the same time, we are in close contact with local authorities and grid operators.
In order to accelerate the construction of H2-ready power plants as soon as the necessary regulatory framework is in place, we have already obtained initial approvals – for Schwarze Pumpe in the heart of the Lusatian lignite mining area and Lippendorf in the Central German mining area.
At our newest site in Leipheim, Bavaria, we are already ensuring stable power grid operation with a new gas-fired power plant that is controlled via the Schwarze Pumpe control system. An H2-ready unit is to be added to the plant in the future.
A bridging technology with a future
The new H2-ready power plants will start with natural gas and can be gradually converted to hydrogen. This turns a modern bridging technology into a future-proof contribution towards climate neutrality.
Key prerequisites for the new generation of power plants to take shape:
reliable regulatory framework
Market and investment incentives
Plannable hydrogen infrastructures in the H2 core network
Hydrogen – a building block for the energy system
In the long term, hydrogen can play a key role as a climate-friendly energy source. Produced in electrolysers using electricity from solar and wind power, so-called green hydrogen serves as an energy storage medium. It can later be converted back into electricity using gas turbines or large-scale fuel cells, supporting the phase-out of fossil generation.
New hydrogen and storage solutions can be developed and integrated by repurposing today's coal-power sites. Corresponding concepts are also available for our sites in Boxberg and Jänschwalde. Alongside an enabling regulatory framework, this requires sufficient planning certainty for the future hydrogen market and reliable expansion of the necessary H2 transport infrastructure. On this basis, such projects can become an important building block for a secure, climate-neutral energy supply.