Germany-based STRABAG Umwelttechnik has been selected by energy company MVV Energie to build a second river-source heat pump at the power plant site of Grosskraftwerk Mannheim (GKM).
It is part of a total investment of roughly €200m ($232.62m), with aims for a climate-friendly heating future in the Rhine-Neckar region.
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Construction is expected to start in mid-2026. The project is receiving support from the federal funding scheme for efficient heating networks after an EU-wide tendering process.
MVV CEO Gabriël Clemens said: “With this new river-source heat pump, we are investing in the energy future of Mannheim and the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region.
“It marks another milestone on our path to achieving full decarbonisation of the district heating supply in Mannheim and the surrounding area by 2030.”
The planned heat-pump installation will have a thermal output capacity of up to 165MW, making it the largest system of its kind globally according to current data.
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By GlobalDataThe heat pump will include two separate modules, each capable of delivering 82.5MW output, using Rhine water as the heat source and isobutane as the refrigerant to generate district heating water at temperatures of up to 130°C.
INP Deutschland provided general planning and preliminary design services ahead of the tender.
STRABAG will lead the engineering and construction work, leveraging technology based on the Heat Pump Alliance partnership with Atlas Copco Energas.
Key components for the installation include turbo compressors manufactured by Atlas Copco, which have seen widespread use in industrial applications, stated STRABAG.
MVV chief technical officer Hansjörg Roll said: “The new river-source heat pump is scheduled to go into operation in winter [late] 2028, providing climate-friendly heat for up to another 40,000 households.
“To achieve full decarbonisation, we are also planning an additional river-source heat pump and the use of the region’s geothermal potential.”
STRABAG said that MVV is also intending to establish a hydrogen-ready district heating post-heater at the GKM location. The unit will heat district heating water to required network temperatures during colder months.
Both the new heat pump and post-heater systems will be operated by GKM, continuing its management of similar existing facilities.
STRABAG CEO Stefan Kratochwill said: “The Mannheim contract strengthens our position as a partner for future-oriented, climate-neutral water and energy infrastructure.
“We are proud to be working with MVV to make an active contribution to the decarbonisation of urban heating and energy supply.”
In June this year, STRABAG strengthened its capabilities with the acquisition of pipeline construction company Sandkamp Tiefbau.
