"Learning from a successful photovoltaic (PV) project": Egbert Homeister from the Süd-Ost-Niedersachsen Energiegenossenschaft "SONNE eG" and Torsten Ruhe, Operations Manager of Wirtschaftsbetriebe des Landkreises Wolfenbüttel, spoke on this topic at the 24th Sustainability Forum on 3 June.
Both presented their joint cooperation project, the construction of a large PV system on the roof of the landfill site in Bornum. The modules were installed on the landfill's compost hall in March 2026. The system with around 336 kWp is expected to go into operation with full feed-in at the end of June. In the future, the leachate treatment plant with its high electricity demand will be supplied with solar energy.
"We need to install the PV systems on our roofs now in order to boost regional electricity generation," explained Egbert Homeister. In view of the global energy crisis, we must be able to supply ourselves regionally independently.
The district of Wolfenbüttel has currently developed its climate protection concept for its own administration, which will be presented to the district council for a final vote at the end of June. One of the aims of the concept is to examine and promote the use of renewable energy sources (PV systems / heat pumps / district heating), explains Torsten Ruhe, Head of Economic Services. He is starting to realise PV systems in his area of responsibility and is making a concrete contribution to the implementation of the concept. The PV system at the Bornum landfill site is already the sixth system on buildings owned by Wirtschaftsbetriebe.
"The district with its own companies has a role model function," said Ruhe with conviction. "We want to set a good example and make a concrete contribution to the energy transition by installing PV on our own properties."
Sonne eG was founded in 2024 with the aim of actively shaping the energy transition in the region in a way that is close to the people and focussed on the common good. With the aim of jointly expanding renewable energies and using them locally, it pools commitment, expertise and capital from the region.
For moderator Prof Dr Udo Becker, Dean of Studies at BELS, the project presentation was a source of optimism: "The future looks a little more positive at this point."
The Sustainability Forum is a platform for dialogue and knowledge transfer in the district's civil society. Four to five times a year, the forum deals with current ecological, social and economic challenges. It offers interest groups, students and teachers a platform to promote topics related to sustainability and climate change and to encourage dialogue between the various groups. The next forum is expected to take place at the end of September.