Our Future Is Built on Solid Ground

The journey begins

Erich Hau, one of the pioneers of wind energy, founds ETAPLAN (which became renerco renewable energy AG, a predecessor of BayWa r.e.). The company takes part in the planning of wind energy projects in Germany.

Fresh wind

ETAPLAN supports the development of the first largescale commercial wind park in North Friesland (Germany).

Aim high, be innovative

What would become BayWa r.e. Solar Energy Systems (Germany) and Solarmarkt GmbH (Switzerland) install first photovoltaic modules.

Turning biomass into energy

As a pioneer in bioenergy, Aufwind Neue Energien, the predecessor of BayWa r.e. Bioenergy GmbH begins the planning, construction and operation of multiple bioenergy plants across Germany.

First construction of wind park

Expertise in turnkey construction stretches back over decades. At a location steeped in history, renerco AG builds its first wind park at Kaiser-Wilhelm-Koog. Here, Germany’s first wind park was opened in the 1980s. Today, it is home to the biggest wind testing field in the world.

Vientos frescos

Expansion into other European markets comes quickly with the first international wind park developed in the Aragón region of Spain. The 132 turbines have an output of 99 MW.

Flying high in Austria

Construction of the biggest alpine wind park in Europe. The wind park Steinriegel (Austria) is located 1,600 m (5,249 ft) above sea level – a challenge for construction and operation, but one BayWa was up to.

First major bioenergy project

With the biomethane plant in Pliening, Aufwind Erneuerbare Energien realises the first feed-in of biogas into the German natural gas grid. The company (today, BayWa r.e. Bioenergy GmbH) has been leading the market ever since.

Build them big

Construction of the company’s first megawatt-class solar park, the open field plant Koenigsbrueck, Germany.

Market entry USA

Entering the American solar trade market is successful and growth is quick. Going the extra mile for installer customers has always been a source of pride and that same commitment to offering expert advice still sets the business apart today.

Success breeds success

2011, sees expansion into the US business to include wind projects. Part of the portfolio was the Snyder wind park in Texas, whose wind turbines are mounted on 345 ft towers making these turbines the tallest in the U.S.

Birth of the BayWa r.e. brand

The BayWa AG business activities for renewable energy come together under one brand: BayWa  r.e. renewable energy. It marks a milestone for us. From here on, we grow together as a single business with our customers benefiting from our combined expertise and knowledge.

A ballade to green energy

Our third large-scale wind project in the USA is the wind park Brahms in New Mexico. It was constructed in a record time of just five months and generates just under 20 MW.

The future is solar

Photovoltaic capacity installed worldwide amounts to approximately 200 GW that year. That is equivalent to almost half of all nuclear power stations in the world.

BayWa r.e. goes East

Global growth in renewables spreads east, primarily to Asia. BayWa r.e. is quick to recognise the trend and opens offices in Tokyo and Bangkok.

Record holder BayWa r.e.

Wind park Guggenberg, in Germany, is the tallest built by BayWa r.e. to date. Its total height is just under 200 m.

BayWa r.e. Down Under

Global expansion continues with BayWa r.e. opening new offices in Australia. Our business grows quickly as we put ourselves at the forefront of the fifth continent’s exciting transition to renewable energy.

Bringing the future to Zambia

Our remote and off-grid expertise takes us to Africa where we are making a real difference to the daily lives of local communities. Through the Future Farm project in Zambia, undertaken together with BayWa AG, we installed a photovoltaic system to power the irrigation system for local farmers.

Renewable energy in remote areas

In Afghanistan, we develop a PV-diesel-hybrid system so a local hospital can benefit from reliable green energy. While in Rwanda it’s ‘time for tea’ as we help a leading tea manufacturer to reduce its carbon footprint and energy costs.

Finding your energy solution

All our renewable energy expertise and experience of working with corporates from around the world comes together with the launch of our Energy Solutions division. Across power, heat and mobility, we are helping businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and drive down their energy costs.

Leading service provider

Energy Systems Services (ESS), one of Italy’s leading renewable energy operations management companies, becomes part of BayWa r.e. With this acquisition, we are now the largest service provider in Italy.

Entering new markets

BayWa r.e. acquires 70% of GroenLeven Group, the leading developer for solar plants in the Netherlands, with a project pipeline of more than 2 GW. This marks our entry into this exciting and important European market.

Australian beer from green energy

Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) takes an important step towards its commitment to source 100% of its electricity from renewables by signing a long-term PPA with BayWa r.e.
 

Game changer

In Spain, we are building one of the first and largest subsidy free solar projects in Europe. This is an important step towards a new phase, where renewable energy plants can generate cleaner power at the same price as conventional power plants, or even less.

Market entry in Mexico

Our partnership with the country’s leading solar distributor enables us to tap into this exciting and fast-growing market.

Taking strides towards a subsidy-free era

The year begins with the sale of our 175 MW Don Rodrigo plant in Spain, the first subsidy-free PV plant of its size in Europe. The year ends with the closing of a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with AB InBev, which is the largest Pan-European corporate solar power deal in history.

Driving innovation with ambition

Despite the challenges of a global pandemic, it is a year of growth as BayWa r.e. becomes present in 28 countries. It is also a year of innovation as we become a leader in Floating-PV, building the three largest projects in Europe, and pioneer in Agri-PV, harvesting the synergies of food and energy production.

The decade that matters

The largest transaction in BayWa’s corporate History closes and we welcome Energy Infrastructure Partners (EIP) as a new investor in BayWa r.e. AG. We continue to r.e.think energy in the decade that matters, and call for action not words as the world faces the reality of the climate crisis.

EMEA: A strong offshore foundation   

BayWa r.e. secured the rights to develop a floating offshore wind farm with a capacity of ca. 960 MW off the Scottish coast, supporting up to 3,900 jobs. This was followed by offshore projects in France, Italy and other markets, pushing potential total volume to more than 2.5 GW. BayWa r.e. also issued Europe’s first-ever tender for CPPAs by a developer, totalling 10 terawatt-hours over 10-year contracts.  

APAC: Full sail ahead 

BayWa r.e.’s exponential growth in the APAC region continued in 2022: the opening of our wind projects office in Vietnam strengthened BayWa r.e.’s position as a key renewable energy developer in the country. Our Solar Distribution business entered Malaysia, further facilitating solar energy throughout Southeast Asia by providing top-tier solar components. And in Australia, we kept expanding our product offering by introducing Standalone Power Systems into the market.  

AMER: U.S. thriving on sunshine  

BayWa r.e. proceeded to grow its footprint in the U.S. market by selling the 266 MWdc/200 MWac Corazon I Solar plant and the 200 MW/400 MWh Guajillo storage project. With more than 500GWh a year, Corazon I is one of the largest installations in the state of Texas and can power more than 38,000 households, while reducing about 250kt of CO₂ emissions annually. This transaction allowed us to reinvest capital into the development pipeline across the country.