E.ON selects Maasvlakte for new large-scale power plant
Rotterdam, 3 March 2006 - E.ON Benelux is building a new ultra-efficient coal-fired power station at Maasvlakte near Rotterdam in the Netherlands for EUR 1.2 billion. E.ON already operates a 1,100 MW coal-fired power station there, which is currently being modernised. The new power station will likewise have an installed capacity of 1,100 MW and be able to cover about 7 % of Dutch electricity demand. E.ON is thus expanding its position on the Dutch producer market. Last year E.ON first gained access to the market for end users in the Netherlands by acquiring the Dutch power distributor NRE Energie.
Maasvlakte is favourably located at Rotterdam's deep-water port and is therefore one of the best sites in Europe for a coal-fired power station. This location already has the necessary infrastructure. It offers ample possibilities for the existing and new industrial operations on the Maasvlakte to jointly work on energy-efficiency improvement (‘co-siting’). The investment will definitely increase employment possibilities. It is expected to yield employment adding up to 2000 person-years for the company and supply industries in the Netherlands.
E.ON Benelux has an ambitious growth plan for the Netherlands and is to reinforce its position in parts of the energy value chain, in order to meet client and shareholder expectations. After the acquisition of the energy production company EZH in 2000, E.ON Benelux took its first step in the end-users market with the acquisition of NRE Energie in 2005. The new power station will be the next step in the E.ON Benelux growth strategy for The Netherlands. For E.ON Benelux, Rotterdam-Maasvlakte is one of the most attractive locations for investments. The new power station will be built next to the present E.ON power station.
Various studies show that as from 2010 the Dutch market will need new production capacity for electricity in order to maintain the level of security of supply. Coal-fired power stations are better suited for baseload. Also, coal prices are less vulnerable to severe fluctuations in the world market than gas and oil.
E.ON Benelux has decided in favour of a new power station based on pulverised coal technology. This is the most reliable and cost-effective technology, meeting the most severe European emission requirements. The new power plant will be built on the basis of clean coal technology, in order to meet all IPPC emission requirements. E.ON Benelux will increase the energy efficiency of the new power station by around 20% compared with current Dutch coal-fired power stations, at least to an energy efficiency level of 46%. The latest technology also enables a reduction of CO2 emissions by some 20% per kWh. Furthermore, studies are underway into possible further increase of energy efficiency via heat supply to greenhouses and industrial clients. E.ON is currently conducting a number of studies into CO2 sequestration. The new unit will be prepared for CO2 sequestration, as soon as this technique is commercially applicable. Potential for burning biomass will also be integrated into the design of the plant.