Finance
Germany's EWE to sit out first power plant tender round, CEO says
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 29, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 29, 2026
Quick Summary
EWE will not bid in Germany's initial power plant tender but may participate in future rounds. The focus remains on hydrogen projects.
EWE CEO Confirms No Bid for Initial Power Plant Tender in Germany
EWE's Tender Participation and Future Plans
BERLIN, Jan 29 (Reuters) - German utility EWE has no plans to bid in an upcoming tender for new power plant capacity in Europe's top economy, its CEO said, adding this might change in additional rounds scheduled for later this decade.
Current Status of Power Plant Tender
Germany earlier this month said it had reached an agreement with the European Commission on a plan to build new power stations, adding it would tender 12 gigawatts (GW) worth of capacity in 2026, with a focus on gas-fired sites.
Investment in Hydrogen Projects
The plans are aimed at safeguarding security of supply with baseload-capable power stations, reflecting the phase out of coal power and the intermittent nature of renewable energy.
Challenges in the Energy Sector
The ministry said there would be additional tenders for new capacity in 2027 and 2029/2030, which would also have to be available by 2031, adding these future tenders were also open to existing sites.
"We will not be participating in the first round. We'll have to see later on, we want to know the tender design first," Stefan Dohler told Reuters at the Handelsblatt energy summit.
"This may be interesting for smaller plants, but it is not our primary focus. We are talking about a three-digit megawatt range here."
EWE, in which private equity firm Ardian owns 26%, is currently in the process of spending up to 16 billion euros ($19.2 billion) by 2035, including 1 billion on hydrogen projects that have faced greater investor scrutiny.
Peers including RWE and Uniper have halted, pared back or delayed green hydrogen projects due to cost overrun and uncertainty over when the technology becomes competitive.
"The issue currently requires entrepreneurial courage," Dohler said, adding EWE currently had no plans for new investment decisions in the hydrogen sector as projects were not economical at the moment.
($1 = 0.8356 euros)
(Reporting by Christoph Steitz; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
Key Takeaways
- •EWE will not participate in Germany's first power plant tender.
- •Germany plans to tender 12 GW of capacity by 2026.
- •Future tenders in 2027 and 2029/2030 are planned.
- •EWE focuses on hydrogen projects despite challenges.
- •Investment in hydrogen faces scrutiny and economic challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions about Germany's EWE to sit out first power plant tender round, CEO says
1What is hydrogen investment?
Hydrogen investment refers to funding directed towards projects that produce, store, or utilize hydrogen as an energy source, often aimed at promoting cleaner energy alternatives.
2What are gas-fired power stations?
Gas-fired power stations are facilities that generate electricity by burning natural gas. They are often used as a cleaner alternative to coal-fired plants.
3What is the significance of energy security?
Energy security refers to the reliable availability of energy resources at an affordable price. It is crucial for economic stability and national security.
4What are the challenges in the energy sector?
Challenges in the energy sector include transitioning to renewable sources, managing costs, ensuring supply security, and adapting to regulatory changes.
