Vattenfall is considering selling its Magnum power plant at Eemshaven in The Netherlands. The company describes the potential sale as a ‘strategic choice’, allowing it to focus its conventional operations on gas-fired power plants with a specific role in heat supply. The income from the sale can be used for investments in renewable energy production such as offshore wind.
Magnum power plant was originally designed as a coal gasification installation, but eventually built as a gas-fired power station with three steam and gas turbines and has the potential to fire a CO2-free fuel such as hydrogen in the future.
“Magnum is a profitable and state-of-the-art gas-fired power station with an important role in the security of supply in the Netherlands. At the heart of our heat operations is however the district heating business where we are focusing on decarbonising the heat supply to our customers. That is why we are now investigating whether a buyer can be found for our … plant,” commented Alexander van Ofwegen, head of Vattenfall’s Dutch Heat operations.
Magnum is said to be ‘hydrogen-ready’ and with relatively simple adjustments to, for example, the burners, it could quickly be made technically suitable for co-firing hydrogen, or even completely switched to this fuel as a replacement for natural gas. A feasibility study for this has been successfully completed. The plant is expected to be needed for at least another 20 years. Therefore continuity of business operations and employment are, says Vattenfall, not in question.
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