Wilhelmshaven, 11.06.20 – Lower Saxony’s Minister for the Environment, Energy, Construction and Climate Protection, Olaf Lies, and Members of the SPD parliamentary group in the Bundestag Siemtje Möller and Bernd Westphal visited the Wilhelmshaven power plant site. An exchange with ONYX-Power CEO Dr. Peter Feldhaus about the possibilities of converting the power plant from hard coal to biomass usage were at the centre of the visit.
During the tour of the site and in discussions with the staff, the guests were informed about ONYX-Power’s view on the necessary framework conditions for a conversion of the power plant. At the subsequent press meeting, the political decision-makers confirmed their commitment to support the site’s interests at federal level.
Olaf Lies, Environment Minister of Lower Saxony: “If we are going to phase out of coal-fired power generation, we have to phase in somewhere. We must succeed in shaping structural change in such a way that we strike the right balance between CO2-neutral energy generation and climate protection as well as economic and job security. I will personally advocate the intelligent and sustainable re-use of existing power plant sites towards the Federal Government.”
“The Wilhelmshaven power plant site is a wonderful example of how economy and climate protection can be thought of together. The coal phase-out offers opportunities for our region. We will do everything we can to maintain employment and strengthen the region as a whole,” said Siemtje Möller, Member of the Bundestag for the constituency of Wilhelmshaven.
“The implementation of the coal phase-out presents our country with major challenges. We need to build a bridge for companies that are willing to shoulder their responsibility and to invest in the conversion of existing power stations. We will work to create the right framework conditions for climate-neutral power generation”, Bernd Westphal, economic and energy policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group in the Bundestag.
The power plant in Wilhelmshaven is one of the most modern coal-fired power stations in Germany and, according to the German government’s plans, is to go off the grid before 2038. ONYX-Power is examining the possibility of various concepts for re-usage at the Wilhelmshaven power station and two other sites. Due to the excellent infrastructure connections, including the deep-water port JadeWeserPort, and other established partnerships with local companies, a conversion of the power plant from hard coal to biomass is being considered. Such a concept would also support the new hydrogen strategy of the Federal Republic of Germany. The strategy provides for the production of so-called green hydrogen from sustainable power sources such as wind or biomass, especially at locations in northern Germany such as Wilhelmshaven.
ONYX-Power CEO Dr. Peter Feldhaus: “In our view, converting the existing plant to biomass is a reasonable alternative. However, an essential prerequisite for further investments is the creation of the right framework conditions. We are pleased that the political decision-makers want to support us in this sense at federal level”.
Press contact ONYX Power
Email: onyx@kekstcnc.com