Wedoany.com Report-Apr. 15, EnBW, a German energy company, has initiated a project to install one of Germany’s first hydrogen-ready gas turbine power plants at its Stuttgart-Münster site. The facility currently produces heat and electricity using three coal-fired boilers, three waste-fired boilers, and three steam turbines. These will be replaced with advanced hydrogen-compatible equipment supplied by Siemens.
The site serves households and businesses along the River Neckar
The company also plans to upgrade its coal-fired plants in Altbach/Deizisau and Heilbronn to operate with hydrogen. The total investment for these conversions is €1.6 billion, enabling a combined output of 1.5 gigawatts. Additionally, the upgraded sites will supply hot water to warm 28,500 homes, 1,400 businesses, and 380 public buildings in the Stuttgart area. The facilities will increasingly rely on renewable energy sources, with EnBW noting that 59% of its current capacity comes from green generation.
The Stuttgart-Münster project, which will deliver 124 megawatts of electrical power and 370 megawatts of thermal energy, required three years of planning and approvals, followed by two years of construction. EnBW’s chief executive, Georg Stamatelopoulos, highlighted the role of hydrogen in addressing the variability of weather-dependent energy sources: “The power plants needed for the energy transition cannot be financed by the market alone.” He emphasized the need for government support to encourage investment in such initiatives.
Peter Heydecker, EnBW’s chief operating officer, underscored the project’s significance in advancing sustainable energy: “EnBW is currently building half of all gas-fired power plants now under construction in Germany.” He noted that transitioning from coal to natural gas reduces carbon emissions by approximately 50%, making power generation more environmentally friendly. Looking ahead, Heydecker added: “From the mid-2030s, we expect to take the next step and, after a second fuel switch, operate the plant on up to 100% low-carbon hydrogen, provided that this is available in sufficient quantities.”
The initiative reflects EnBW’s commitment to integrating cleaner energy solutions while maintaining reliable power and heating services for communities and businesses.
