INNIO and KMW Partner to Strengthen Grid Stability and Data Center Resilience with New 54-MW Peaking Power Plant
INNIO Group has entered into a landmark agreement with Kraftwerke Mainz-Wiesbaden AG (KMW) to develop a state-of-the-art 54-megawatt (MW) peaking power plant designed to enhance grid stability, ensure energy security, and support the growing power demands of digital infrastructure. The new facility, located in Mainz, Germany, will feature twelve modular, high-efficiency energy systems developed by INNIO—each engineered for flexible operation, sustainable performance, and future readiness in a decarbonized energy landscape.
A portion of the plant’s capacity will provide dedicated backup power to the “Green Rocks” data center, a joint venture between KMW and Norwegian operator Green Mountain, marking a major step forward in sustainable data center operations in Europe. Scheduled for commissioning by the end of 2027, the new power plant will serve as a critical component of Germany’s evolving energy transition—offering not only fast-response balancing power to the national grid but also resilient energy support for digital and industrial applications.
A Strategic Milestone for Sustainable Energy Supply
According to Oliver Malerius, KMW board member, the collaboration between INNIO and KMW represents a strategic leap toward a secure, efficient, and future-oriented energy ecosystem in Mainz.
The partnership between INNIO and KMW is a strategic milestone for energy supply in Mainz. It combines efficiency with future viability and is designed to support the operation of our data center even in the event of a blackout,” said Malerius.
By integrating INNIO’s modular power technology, the facility will be capable of delivering fast-ramping electricity during peak demand periods or grid fluctuations, ensuring a consistent and reliable energy flow. This flexibility is essential for modern energy systems that increasingly rely on intermittent renewable sources such as solar and wind.
Ensuring Power Reliability for Critical Infrastructure
As Europe accelerates its shift toward renewable energy, ensuring power reliability for critical infrastructure—such as hospitals, transport networks, and data centers—has become a top priority. INNIO’s modular systems at the KMW site are specifically designed to function as backup units during grid disruptions, providing an uninterrupted energy supply in the event of a blackout.
Thomas Seeber, Managing Director of Sales Data Center at INNIO Group, emphasized the growing importance of reliable power solutions in the digital age:
With our innovative energy solutions, we secure the power supply for critical infrastructure and data centers, enabling dynamic AI development not only in the U.S., but also right here in the heart of Europe,” said Seeber.
This approach underscores INNIO’s global mission to build resilient, low-carbon energy ecosystems that can sustain both industrial and digital growth. By integrating decentralized energy systems, the Mainz project provides a blueprint for how local utilities and data center operators can jointly ensure supply stability while advancing sustainability goals.
Modular Energy Systems “Ready for H2”
At the heart of the project are twelve advanced modular energy systems from INNIO, each designed for high operational flexibility and compatibility with future fuels. These systems can rapidly adjust their output based on demand fluctuations, making them ideal for grid-balancing applications.
Notably, all systems are “Ready for H2”, meaning they are engineered to operate on hydrogen or hydrogen-natural gas blends as the energy transition progresses. This future-proof design ensures that the Mainz plant will be capable of seamlessly integrating low-carbon and renewable fuels as they become more widely available in Germany’s energy mix.
A Sustainable Alternative to Diesel Backup Systems
INNIO’s energy solutions represent a major leap in sustainable backup generation. Unlike traditional diesel-powered generators, which are widely used for emergency power supply in data centers, INNIO’s systems can reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by up to 95%. This significant reduction in local air pollutants contributes to cleaner operations and aligns with Germany’s stringent environmental standards.
Additionally, the modular systems are highly efficient, designed to minimize energy losses during generation and conversion. This translates into lower operating costs and improved energy utilization—making them not only environmentally superior but also economically advantageous for operators like KMW and Green Mountain.
Powering the “Green Rocks” Data Center
The “Green Rocks” data center—a collaboration between KMW and Green Mountain, one of Scandinavia’s leading operators of climate-neutral data centers—will directly benefit from the new power plant’s reliable and sustainable energy supply. The facility is expected to host AI-driven and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads, which require stable, high-capacity power delivery with minimal risk of interruption.
By coupling renewable energy with INNIO’s flexible peaking systems, the Green Rocks facility aims to achieve near-constant uptime while minimizing its carbon footprint. This synergy between clean power generation and digital infrastructure exemplifies the new generation of sustainable data centers, where reliability, efficiency, and environmental responsibility are built into the core design.
Supporting Europe’s Energy Transition
The collaboration comes at a pivotal moment in Europe’s energy landscape. With rising demand for clean power and growing reliance on digital technologies, grid operators face increasing pressure to maintain stability amid fluctuating renewable generation. Peaking plants like the one developed by INNIO and KMW play a vital role by compensating for short-term supply-demand imbalances and providing frequency regulation services to the grid.
By utilizing decentralized, modular systems instead of large centralized facilities, INNIO’s approach also enhances resilience and scalability. Each module can operate independently or as part of an integrated network, allowing operators to scale up or down based on local demand and maintenance schedules.
Furthermore, the hydrogen-ready design positions the Mainz project as a key enabler of Germany’s hydrogen economy, supporting national and EU-level targets for carbon neutrality by 2045.
Innovation Rooted in Partnership
The KMW-INNIO partnership reflects a growing trend of collaboration between energy technology leaders and regional utilities to develop hybrid power systems that merge renewable generation with advanced, flexible backup capabilities. For INNIO, this project is another step in its mission to accelerate the global transition toward clean, resilient, and intelligent energy systems.
KMW, a long-established player in Germany’s utility sector, brings deep expertise in power generation, grid management, and sustainable infrastructure development. Together, the two companies are creating a model for how local utilities can balance environmental responsibility with economic and operational performance.
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