Overview
Buer power station is a 70 MW coal-fired power plant in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, operated by E.On Kraftwerke Gmbh. It serves the local grid under strict EU emissions regulations.
Buer power station is a coal-fired power generation facility located in Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. With a capacity of 70 MW, it is a small-scale plant within the German power sector, which is increasingly shifting toward renewable energy sources. The plant is owned and operated by E.On Kraftwerke Gmbh and remains operational. The facility operates under the European Union's Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU), which sets stringent limits on emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. As a coal plant, it must comply with Best Available Techniques (BAT) conclusions for large combustion plants. The plant's relatively small capacity and age may influence its compliance pathway and operational flexibility. Buer power station contributes to regional energy security in the Ruhr area, a historically industrial region. While coal generation faces regulatory and market pressures in Germany, the plant's continued operation supports local grid stability. Its environmental footprint is subject to EU emissions trading and national phase-out timelines for coal.
Environmental context
The plant's coal fuel source results in significant CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions per MWh compared to natural gas or renewables. Located in the densely populated Ruhr region, its emissions impact local air quality. The 70 MW capacity places it in the small-scale category, which may have less stringent monitoring requirements but still must adhere to EU emission limits.
Frequently asked questions
Buer power station is located in Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Buer power station has a capacity of 70 megawatts (MW), making it a small-scale coal-fired power plant.
Buer power station is owned and operated by E.On Kraftwerke Gmbh, a major German energy company.
Coal power plants in Germany must comply with the EU Industrial Emissions Directive, which sets emission limits for SOx, NOx, and dust. They also participate in the EU Emissions Trading System for CO2.
As a small coal plant, Buer power station operates within Germany's coal phase-out plan, which aims to reduce coal generation by 2038. Its continued operation supports grid stability during the transition to renewables.