The German electricity supply security programme has granted about €12 billion (US$13.4 billion) in contracts for new gas‑fired power plants, covering 5.16 GW of dispatchable capacity.

LEAG, owned by the EP Group, secured the largest share with contracts for roughly 3 GW, while RWE received contracts for about 2.12 GW; Uniper did not win any capacity in this first round.

LEAG’s award includes seven new gas‑power blocks at three sites – Janschwalde in Brandenburg, Boxberg in Saxony and Leipheim in Bavaria – with a combined installed capacity of approximately 3,680 MW.

RWE will build three hydrogen‑compatible gas plants in North‑Rhine Westphalia at Voerde, Werne and Weisweiler, together offering around 2,100 MW of tender capacity.

All facilities are designed to be hydrogen‑ready and will use combined‑cycle gas turbine technology, allowing future fuel flexibility as the energy system evolves.

The contracts include a 15‑year capacity‑payment scheme to guarantee availability, with the awarded price averaging €155,296 per megawatt, below the €244,000 ceiling.

The new plants must be operational by 2031 at the latest, providing backup generation when wind and solar output is insufficient during Germany’s coal‑phase‑out.

The first‑stage award is part of a broader €35.2 billion programme targeting 11–12 GW of new capacity, with further tenders planned for December 2026 and 2027.

The Federal Network Agency will announce the date of the next tender round on 10 November, continuing the rollout of flexible generation to support electricity supply security.