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Good to know where it comes from: Messe Frankfurt obtains environmentally friendly solar power from the Uckermark region of Germany from Mainova AG

7 Sep 2022

Messe Frankfurt will continue to rely on a climate-neutral energy supply from 100 per cent green electricity. From 2024, Messe Frankfurt will obtain 30 per cent of its electricity requirements from the "Boitzenburger Land" solar park being built in the Uckermark region. To this end, it has concluded a corresponding Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Frankfurt-based energy service provider Mainova AG with a term of ten years. Mainova holds a 25 percent stake in the "Boitzenburger Land" solar park. The solar park, which is expected to go into operation in spring 2023, is one of the largest in Germany. Mainova plans to purchase and market the entire electricity yield of 180 gigawatt hours per year. In purely mathematical terms, this corresponds to the environmentally friendly energy supply of 64,000 households and an annual saving of 85,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Messe Frankfurt has already been using 100 per cent green electricity to supply stands, halls and grounds at the Frankfurt venue since the 2020 event year. With the current conclusion of the contract, the company is securing its sustainable energy supply in a volatile energy market as part of a holistic and sustainable business approach. In the long term, a further 30 per cent of Messe Frankfurt's energy needs are to be covered by wind power. The remaining amount of electricity will be purchased as green electricity through Mainova. "The Power Purchase Agreement provides Messe Frankfurt with planning and cost security. Mainova, as a reliable, regional partner at our side, enables us to obtain the highest-quality green electricity currently available on the market in future through the PPA, and from a clearly traceable source", says Uwe Behm, Member of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt.

"Messe Frankfurt and Mainova have been working together for climate protection on site for many years. Through our participation in one of Germany's largest solar parks, Messe Frankfurt will in future purchase green electricity produced in Germany from solar energy directly from Mainova. In this way, we are supporting our customers in achieving their sustainability goals", adds Diana Rauhut, Member of the Board of Management of Mainova AG.

Three photovoltaic systems are also currently in operation at the exhibition grounds in Frankfurt. The latest photovoltaic system on the roof of Hall 12 has been generating energy from solar radiation since the end of 2018. It was built for the company's own use and, with 5,300 solar modules, covers around 9,000 square metres. The first photovoltaic system was installed in 2009 on the roof of Exhibition Hall 10 with the support of Mainova AG. In September 2010, the second system was installed on the Rebstock multi-storey car park in cooperation with the Sonneninitiative e.V. association. Solar carports are also integrated here.

For Messe Frankfurt, the use of exclusively green electricity is a further measure to make a targeted contribution to environmental and climate protection and to increasingly drive forward its energy targets in the sense of holistic energy performance. Messe Frankfurt was the first German trade fair company to join the United Nations Global Compact in 2010. The worldwide CSR network is committed to sustainable corporate governance and compliance with the ten principles in the areas of human rights, labour standards, anti-corruption and environmental protection.