Enery has inaugurated one of the largest photovoltaic plants in Styria, which, together with Energie Steiermark, will now supply around 5,450 households with green electricity.
A historic moment was marked in the Styrian municipality of Dobl-Zwaring on 1 October 2025, when Enery and Energie Steiermark officially opened the new solar park – sending a strong signal for Austria’s energy transition. Covering some 20 hectares, the plant impresses not only with its size but also with innovative approaches in ecology, citizen participation, and future viability.
Strategic Location
The decision to construct the facility in Dobl-Zwaring was deliberate. Its location next to the A2 South Motorway ensures excellent infrastructure access, while its proximity to an existing substation with direct grid connection was a key factor. The site is largely screened by rows of trees, with additional hedges planted for visual protection.
Precision in Planning
With an installed module capacity of 20.94 MWp and a grid connection of 18 MW, the Dobl-Zwaring Solar Park is among the largest photovoltaic installations in Styria. A total of 29,448 solar modules will deliver an annual output of around 26.3 GWh – enough to supply approximately 5,450 households with clean energy and reduce CO₂ emissions by about 2,100 tonnes per year.
The facility was built in just ten months. Between October 2024 and July 2025, around 24,000 working hours were invested, involving numerous regional companies.
The plant is designed as a fixed, south-facing installation to maximise yield. In the south-eastern corner, individual module tables were adjusted to prevent glare for local residents and motorway drivers – while also allowing more efficient use of the site.
Future-proofing has also been considered: space and infrastructure for a battery storage system are already in place, ready for integration once permits are granted.
Enery CEO Richard König and COO Lukas Nemec told The Voice of Renewables: “The Dobl-Zwaring Solar Park is an ideal example of a ground-mounted solar project. We have successfully combined ecological and economic goals in a symbiotic manner. Styria’s industry and households need more large-scale solar, wind and storage projects to ensure affordable, domestically produced green power. We thank our long-standing partner Energie Steiermark for the trustful cooperation.”
Energie Steiermark’s Expansion Strategy
Energie Steiermark board members Martin Graf and Werner Ressi underlined the company’s long-term plans: “We are investing around €5.5 billion in renewable energy and grid expansion over the coming years, with photovoltaics a central element. Our solar initiative foresees 300 MW of new capacity – enough to supply over 100,000 households exclusively with solar power. Based on the success of our projects to date, we are confident of meeting the climate targets precisely. Beyond sustainability, it is about reducing import dependency and ensuring security of supply.”
Support from the Municipality
The solar park has been warmly welcomed by the municipality. Mayor Waltraud Walch said: “We are convinced that this photovoltaic park represents a forward-looking solution for our community, for the climate, and for the future of our children. With this facility, the largest solar park developed by Energie Steiermark together with Enery, renewable electricity is now generated for over 6,000 households.”
Community Involvement and Ecological Measures
An innovative feature of the project is the integration of Dobl-Zwaring as a “Smart Community”. A defined share of the plant’s capacity is reserved for local residents, who can access it on favourable terms through a participation model – ensuring they benefit not only indirectly from clean power but also directly through lower energy costs.
Beyond energy generation, the project includes a comprehensive ecological programme:
- Nesting boxes for birds and shelters for wild bees
- Stone and deadwood piles and egg-laying sites for reptiles
- Wildlife corridors to safeguard habitats
- Planting of 8,000 m² of hedges, 100 trees, and around 3 hectares of wildflower meadows
- Preservation of existing woodland patches and a rest area beneath a protected oak tree
An energy education trail and school workshops have also been established to raise awareness of renewable energy among children.
Sustainable land management is also ensured: around 120 sheep from a local farmer graze 16 hectares of the enclosed area. Two wells and water pipes have been installed to supply them, providing gentle landscape care that supports biodiversity while strengthening local agriculture.
