- Power plants are used within the framework of the Substitute Power Plant Provision Act (EKBG) to save natural gas and prepare for possible gas shortages.
- Lifetime extensions allow continued operation up to a maximum of 31.3.2024.
- Uniper is thus bringing a total of around 2.150 megawatts (MW) of capacity back onto the market on the basis of the EKBG.
According to the company’s website press release on December 22, 2022, Uniper is extending the market operation of the Heyden 4 and Staudinger 5 hard coal-fired power plants until 31 March 2024 at the latest, Uniper announced on the transparency platform of the German power trading exchange EEX. The measure is being taken as part of the German government's EKBG to secure the energy supply in the coming winters. This law pursues the goal of using as little gas as possible for power generation and replacing it with other energy sources.
The Heyden 4 power plant in Petershagen near Minden had already ceased commercial operation after an award in the first tender to reduce coal-fired power generation, but returned to the market on 29.08.2022 from the grid reserve on the basis of the EKBG and the associated first ordinance. This first ordinance only allowed a return to the market until 30.04.2023. Now this term has been extended and continued operation is allowed until 31.03.2024 at the most. The power plant has a total capacity of 875 MW.
The Staudinger 5 hard coal-fired power plant near Hanau would have had to cease commercial operation on 21.05.2023 due to the award in the fourth tender to reduce coal-fired power generation. Instead of being used only in the grid reserve from 22.05.2023 onwards, it is now going to remain the market, also on the basis of the EKBG. Staudinger 5 has a total capacity of 510 MW and contributes significantly to security of supply in Germany.
Both power plants will be used commercially to support the security of energy supply in Germany. At the same time, Uniper is currently preparing for the continued operation of the Scholven B hard coal-fired power plant (345 MW) in Gelsenkirchen beyond June 2023.
With Heyden 4 (875 MW), Scholven C (345 MW), Irsching 3 (415 MW) and Staudinger 5 (510 MW), Uniper has now brought around 2.150 MW of reliable capacity back into the German electricity market to reduce gas consumption during the current shortage situation.
About Uniper
Düsseldorf-based Uniper is an international energy company with activities in more than 40 countries. With around 7,000 employees, it makes an important contribution to security of supply in Europe. Uniper’s core businesses are power generation in Europe, global energy trading, and a broad gas portfolio. Uniper procures gas – including liquefied natural gas (LNG) – and other energy sources on global markets. The company owns and operates gas storage facilities with a capacity of more than 7 billion cubic meters. Uniper plans for its 22.5 GW of installed power-generating capacity in Europe to be carbon-neutral by 2035. The company already ranks among Europe’s largest operators of hydroelectric plants and intends to further expand solar and wind energy, which are essential for a more sustainable and autonomous future.
Uniper is a reliable partner for communities, municipal utilities, and industrial enterprises for planning and implementing innovative, lower-carbon solutions on their decarbonization journey. Uniper is a hydrogen pioneer, is active worldwide along the entire hydrogen value chain, and is conducting projects to make hydrogen a mainstay of the energy supply.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Uniper SE Management and other information currently available to Uniper. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. Uniper SE does not intend, and does not assume any liability whatsoever, to update these forward-looking statements or to modify them to conform with future events or developments.
