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The Netherlands – emissions into the air

Power companies do not contribute to all emission flows. This is clear from the chart below. The energy sector does contribute to emissions of CO2, SO2 and – to a smaller degree - NOx. In percentage terms the emissions of fine dust are quite limited. Agriculture, traffic and other industry are the key sources here. The emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) is due to three important sources: provision of energy (32%), other industries (25%) and traffic and transportation (20%). Traffic and transportation is the most important source of volatile organic materials and nitrogen oxides. Agriculture is the biggest source of ammonia, methane and dinitrogen oxide.

Power companies contribute to emissions of CO2, SO2, NOx and fine dust. The same applies to the MPP3 power station. The following chapters set out the measures taken by E.ON Benelux to minimise the impact on the environment.

E.ON Benelux takes all measures that are technically available at this time. This not only applies to new power stations but also the existing ones. A new NOx-installation was put in position in autumn 2006, at the time of the overhaul of the existing unit on the Maasvlakte. This means that after the start up of MPP3, for the three units the emissions of NOx will be lower than at the start of 2006 for two units.

Emission greenhouse gases (IPCC-categories)
The agriculture and market-gardening sectors contribute part of methane (CH4: 51%) and dinitrogen oxide (N2O: 53%) emissions. Industry makes an important contribution to overall emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2: 25%), dinitrogen oxide (N2O: 36%) and hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HFCs, PFCs and SF6: 37%). The energy sector is responsible for 31% of CO2. emissions. Traffic causes 20% of CO2 and 24% of emissions of HFKs, PFKs and SF6. These figures were compiled in line with the calculation protocols of the Inter-governmental Panel for climate changes (IPCC).

Acidifying and large-scale and air pollution (NEC-sectors)
The agriculture and market-garden sectors provided the largest contribution of overall ammonia emissions (NH3: 90%). The contribution to emissions of fine dust is considerable (20%). Industry, including refineries and energy provision makes the largest contribution to overall emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2: 88%). Traffic is an important contributor to overall emissions of carbon monoxide (CO: 62%), volatile organic compound (VOC, not including methane: 41%) and NOx (62%).