Environmental measures
Expansion of renewable energies in the traction current mix
The development of a diversified portfolio of renewable energies and energy storage systems for an economical and secure energy supply with a growing share of renewable energies is a core element of our decarbonization strategy. The conclusion of power purchase agreements (PPAs) has become an integral part of procurement activities. In 2025, eight new PPAs were concluded:
- four newly concluded PPAs with short- to medium-term maturity, under which electricity is supplied from one onshore wind farm and 19 solar farms, and
- four newly concluded long-term PPAs under which electricity is supplied by one hydroelectric power plant and three solar farms.
These include, among other things, two long-term PPAs with Blue Elephant Energy for the supply of solar power. The solar power will be supplied by two large solar farms in Bavaria (Schafhöfen) and Baden-Württemberg (Aulendorf), which are expected to become operational by mid-2027. With a capacity of 266 megawatts peak (MWp), the Schafhöfen solar park in Bavaria will be the second-largest solar park in Germany once it is completed. To this end, about 370,000 solar panels will be installed by 2027 across an area larger than 300 soccer fields.
In addition, a power storage agreement (PSA) was signed with Energieversorgung Beckum in cooperation with Entrix. This will enable DB Energy to utilize annual storage capacity from a battery storage facility for ten years, expected to start in 2026. The structuring of PSAs within the PPA portfolio makes it possible to manage the special characteristics of eco-power supplies, for example discontinuous generation and price and forecast risks, in the best possible way. In this way, DB Energy intends to press ahead with the integration of renewable energies in the German electricity market.
Energy supply for alternative drives
In addition to expanding the traction current supply as part of the ongoing electrification of the rail network, DB Energy is implementing power supply solutions for rolling stock using alternative drives. Various technological approaches are being pursued here, such as charging substations as part of overhead wire island systems. This includes the innovation hub in Tübingen, where an innovative integrated hydrogen system for DB Energy was developed by the end of March 2025. In addition to the hydrogen filling station already in operation to supply the Bayerische Regiobahn (BRB) in Augsburg, another hydrogen filling station is being planned at the Mühldorf site. In addition, the supply of HVO is a key focus area for DB Energy, with a total of 21 HVO rail filling stations planned by the end of 2025.