Two German vitality corporations stated they shut down seven coal-fired energy vegetation over the Easter vacation weekend, taking greater than 3,000 MW of technology capability offline for decommissioning.
The German authorities, which already has known as for an finish to coal-fired energy technology in that nation, had allowed the models to proceed working by way of the winter as Germany continues to cut back its dependency on pure fuel from Russia after that nation’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
RWE Energy stated it closed 5 coal-fired models on the Grevenbroich-Neurath and Bergheim-Niederaussemin energy stations on March 31. The lignite-fired energy vegetation in complete had 2,100 MW of technology capability.
LEAG stated two of its coal-fired models, at Jänschwalde within the jap state of Brandenburg, close to Berlin, additionally had been shuttered, taking one other 1,000 MW offline. Two 500-MW models on the website had been restarted in the beginning of the winter season to assist the nation’s energy provide.
RWE Closes 4.2 GW of Capability
RWE has now shut down 12 coal-fired models, with a complete technology capability of 4,200 MW, through the previous three years. The utility stated it should shut down the 300-MW Block F on the Weisweiler energy plant by year-end, leaving simply seven of the corporate’s coal-burning energy stations in operation. RWE has stated it plans to shutter all its coal-fired models by 2030.
Officers in Germany stated that with the 2023-24 winter season over, grid operators don’t anticipate issues with the nation’s energy provide as results of taking the coal-fired technology offline.
The 300-MW Neurath C and Niederaussem E and F models, amongst these closed on Sunday, had been out there on a standby foundation for the previous few years. The 600-MW Neurath D and E models, initially scheduled to be closed at year-end 2022 in accordance with Germany’s phase-out of coal-fired energy, had been allowed to function by way of the tip of March this yr because of fears of an influence scarcity because of curtailed shipments of pure fuel from Russia.
Models Operated For the reason that Nineteen Seventies
The three 300-MW models had operated for the reason that early Nineteen Seventies. The 2 600-MW energy stations got here on-line in 1975 and 1976.
“The RWE Energy workforce stepped up after we had been wanted through the vitality disaster. Everybody demonstrated monumental dedication,” stated Frank Weigand, CEO of RWE Energy. “I wish to thank each member of the workforce for this. Along with the dependable operation of our remaining energy plant models, our work within the coming years will proceed to deal with making ready for the coal phase-out and remaining recultivation.”
RWE plans to construct at the least 3 GW of hydrogen-ready gas-fired energy vegetation on the firm’s energy plant websites to assist change the misplaced coal-fired technology. The corporate has stated the plan is contingent on financial situations that let funding in these amenities, together with being profitable within the tenders for such energy stations which have been introduced by the German authorities. RWE has stated it plans to take a position as a lot as €11 billion ($11.8 billion) in offshore and onshore wind energy, photo voltaic, storage, versatile backup capacities, and hydrogen between now and 2030.
—Darrell Proctor is a senior affiliate editor for POWER (@POWERmagazine).
