Denmark's largest power plant to be converted from coal to renewables
April 2, 2015 | By
Jaclyn Brandt
The largest power station in Denmark is changing gears, according to a new announcement by its owner -- DONG Energy. Unit 1 of the Avedøre Power Station will be converted from coal generation to biomass -- in the form of wood pellets -- as of fall 2016.
"The decision to convert unit 1 at Avedøre Power Station means that we'll now be in a position to abandon coal and gas entirely when we're generating heat for more than 215,000 households in the Greater Copenhagen area," said Thomas Dalsgaard, Executive Vice President, DONG Energy, in a statement. "It's a significant step in the green conversion, taken in a cost-effective way." The conversion is part of an agreement between DONG Energy and VEKS -- which will allow unit 1 at Avedøre Power Station to supply biomass power to VEKS customers from 2016 to 2033. According to DONG Energy, the agreement is a part of Denmark's goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2025. "To VEKS, unit 1 at Avedøre Power Station has always been exceptional. When the unit was put into operation back in 1990, the western part of the Greater Copenhagen area and consequently VEKS got its own CHP plant," said Steen Christiansen, Chairman of VEKS. "And soon, the entire power station will be able to supply CO2 neutral energy. This is completely in line with the decision made by the board of directors of VEKS in 2010 to supply CO2 neutral district heating. The conversion of Avedøre Power Station to run 100 per cent on biomass is a project that we can all be proud of." DONG Energy said they expect the Avedøre Power Station to provide heating to 215,000 households in Copenhagen, as well as electricity to 600,000 households. Unit 2 of the power station was previously converted to biomass generation. "By using more wind and biomass, DONG Energy has reduced our coal consumption by 65 per cent since 2006," Dalsgaard added. "And we have a target stating that at least half of the electricity and heat generated at our power stations in 2020 will be based on sustainable biomass instead of coal and gas. This will give the Danes cost-effective green energy with a high degree of security of supply." The conversion will begin in April 2015, and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2016. For more: © 2015 FierceMarkets, a division of Questex Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. |