German chemicals company switches from coal to gas power plant

The industrial power plant, which is expected to be operational in 2022, will consist of two units, each with an electrical capacity of 90 MW, and will produce both electricity and process steam for the chemical park. The site’s integrated steam network will also supply district heat for around 2,000 homes in the future.

The new gas-powered plant will replace the last coal-fired plant at the Marl Chemical Park, allowing Evonik Industries – one of the site’s operators – to cut CO2 emissions by 1mn tonnes per year. The move is part of Germany’s commitment to close all of its coal-fired plants by 2038.

The use of heat recovery steam generators and catalysts will allow the new system to operate on natural gas as well as re-gasified liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other gases, such as residual gas from production processes.