Milestone in the Hafen energy park: Germany's largest wastewater heat pump is taking shape

Hamburg, July 7, 2025 – Construction of the new 60-megawatt large-scale heat pump at the Hamburg wastewater treatment plant is making visible progress. Senator for the Environment Katharina Fegebank inspected the site today, Monday, to confirm this. The project is a prime example of synergistic cooperation within the city's corporate group: HAMBURG WASSER provides the infrastructure and the wastewater resource, while Hamburger Energiewerke is financing the plant with an investment volume of over 60 million euros and integrating the heat into the city's network.
 

Efficient Resource Utilization within the Group

The plant utilizes treated wastewater, which maintains a temperature of at least 12 degrees Celsius year-round, as an efficient energy source. Four high-performance heat pumps raise this temperature to 95 degrees Celsius before it is fed into the district heating network. The plant's direct proximity to the new combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant in the Hafen Energy Park allows for the shared use of storage and grid infrastructure. "This project demonstrates the mutually beneficial collaboration between our city's public companies," emphasized Senator Fegebank during her site visit.

Key Project for the Coal Phase-Out 

The large-scale heat pump is a central component of the "Hafen Energy Park," which will replace the old Wedel coal-fired power plant. It will make a significant contribution to achieving the coal phase-out by 2030 at the latest. Through the intelligent sector coupling of water management and energy supply, up to 90,000 tons of CO₂ will be saved annually. This supports HGV's overarching goal of future-proofing its portfolio companies on the path to climate neutrality.
 

Operations Planned to Begin in 2026 

The division of labor between the partners is clearly defined: HAMBURG WASSER is responsible for the planning, construction, and technical operation of the plant, while Hamburger Energiewerke will handle the commercial management and heat distribution. Following its planned commissioning in 2026, the plant will deliver a heat output that, theoretically, corresponds to the needs of a medium-sized town.

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