Uniper to build new gas-drive power plant for swb in Bremen
- swb to replace the coal-fired unit 15 with a gas-drive power plant
- The technology group Wärtsilä will supply the gas-drive generation plant for the 105 megawatt project
- Additional joint projects planned between Uniper and Wärtsilä
Over the next two and a half years, Uniper with be working with the Finland-based Wärtsilä Group to build a gas-drive power plant for swb Bremen. The plant in Bremen-Hastedt will operate using nine Wärtsilä 31SG gas-drives, which will significantly contribute toward converting swb’s energy generation to natural gas. The facility has a planned generating capacity of 105 megawatts (MW); it will also supply the district heating system with 93 MW of thermal output. The project will get underway as soon as emission approvals have been issued. This is expected in the near future.
The Wärtsilä 31SG drive technology is specifically designed for variable power generation. It provides the means to react quickly to balance power generation and demand, thereby facilitating, for example, the integration of larger volumes of volatile power from renewable sources with no risk of downtime.
This project will help the state and city of Bremen in achieving its environmental targets. The conversion from coal to gas will allow swb to decrease CO2 emissions by up to 75%. The construction of co-generation plants (CHP) is an important element in de-centralizing power generation. Going forward, Uniper and Wärtsilä aim to pursue other joint projects of this kind.
The engineering division at Uniper will serve as general contractor in overseeing all aspects of the project. Wärtsilä will supply all the technical components for the nine generation units and following start-up assume responsibility for repair and maintenance of the plant with guaranteed plant output.
David Bryson, Chief Operating Officer Uniper: “We are very pleased to be able to assist swb in achieving its climate goals through this engineering project. Engineering knowhow is a critical factor in environmental protection, which too often comes up short in discussions. Uniper not only set itself very ambitious goals for climate neutrality in its own European generation by 2035, it also has invited its customers to pursue similar goals. We enjoy a long-term association with swb in energy supply that we have been able to build upon.”
Jens-Uwe Freitag, Managing Director of swb Erzeugung und Entsorgung GmbH und Co KG: "With the decision to replace the hard coal-fired combined-cycle block Hastedt 15 with a highly efficient combined-cycle unit with nine natural gas-powered engines, we have achieved the optimum combination of climate protection, availability and cost-effectiveness. With the consortium, we have found an internationally active project partner who will contribute to a successful implementation of the project by using all of their combined experience in technology, projects and operations in this special partnership."
Pekka Tolonen, Energy Business Director Europe at Wärtsilä, adds: “I am very pleased to have achieved this milestone in cooperation with our consortium partner, Uniper, and with swb’s decision to place its trust in our joint proposal. This is the first project in our partnership for high-value, sustainable co-generation solutions in Germany.”
About Uniper
Uniper is a leading international energy company with around 11,500 employees and activities in more than 40 countries. With about 34 GW of installed generation capacity, Uniper is among the largest global power generators. Its main activities include power generation in Europe and Russia as well as global energy trading, including a diversified gas portfolio that makes Uniper one of Europe’s leading gas companies. In 2019, Uniper sold a gas volume of 220 bcm. The company is headquartered in Düsseldorf, being the third-largest listed German utility. Under its new strategy, Uniper aims to become carbon-neutral in Europe by 2035.
About Wärtsilä
Wärtsilä is a global leader in smart technologies and complete lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasizing sustainable innovation, total efficiency and data analytics, Wärtsilä maximizes the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2019, Wärtsilä’s net sales totaled EUR 5.2 billion with approximately 19,000 employees. The company has operations in over 200 locations in more than 80 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on NASDAQ Helsinki.
Contact for journalists:
Uniper SE
Georg Oppermann
Press Spokesperson
T +49 211 45 79 55 32
[email protected]
swb
Friedhelm Behrens
Pressesprecher
T +49 421 359 2049
[email protected]
Wärtsilä
Frank Kettig
Business Development ManagerWärtsilä Energy Business
T +49 170 412 4474
[email protected]
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.
