Halle – November 03, 2026 -- Saale Energie GmbH, the Mibrag subsidiary that operates the Schkopau lignite power plant, won no award in Germany's first tender round for new gas-fired plants, leaving Saxony-Anhalt without a share of the new backup capacity for periods of low wind and solar output.

Saale Energie keeps hopes alive for a later round

Company spokesman Sebastian Exner confirmed the result to the Mitteldeutsche Zeitung. He noted that the law provides for at least one further tender, so a final assessment of the Schkopau site is not yet possible.

The Schkopau lignite plant is due to close by 2034 at the latest under the coal phase-out. A new gas-fired plant is planned at the site.

Federal Network Agency awards 11 of 41 bids, none in Saxony-Anhalt

The Bundesnetzagentur published the results of the first round on Tuesday. Of 41 bidders, 11 received an award. The winning bids came from Brandenburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony, Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.

Minister says RWE and Leag took 99% of award volume

Saxony-Anhalt's Energy and Environment Minister Armin Willingmann (SPD) called the result a heavy blow to the state as a business location. He said industry in the central German chemical triangle depends on the Schkopau power plant site. Losing out for good could create serious locational disadvantages for the chemical industry, he told the newspaper.

Willingmann said RWE and Leag together received 99% of the awarded volume. He said this gives the impression that Federal Economy Minister Katherina Reiche had little interest in a broader range of suppliers in the power market.