Overview
Kraftwerk Werdohl-Elverlingsen is a 310 MW coal power plant in Werdohl, Germany, operated by Mark-E AG. It plays a role in the regional energy grid under EU emissions regulations.
Kraftwerk Werdohl-Elverlingsen is a coal-fired power plant located in Werdohl, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. With a capacity of 310 MW, it is a medium-scale facility within the German power generation sector, which is undergoing a transition toward renewable energy sources. The plant is owned and operated by Mark-E AG, a regional energy provider. The plant operates under the European Union's Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU), which sets strict emission limits for large combustion plants. As a coal-fired facility, it is subject to Best Available Techniques (BAT) conclusions for large combustion plants, requiring measures to reduce sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. The plant's technology is likely subcritical, typical for older coal units in Germany. Kraftwerk Werdohl-Elverlingsen contributes to grid stability and local energy supply in the Sauerland region. Its operation is balanced against Germany's Energiewende (energy transition) goals, which aim to phase out coal by 2038. The plant's environmental impact is managed through continuous monitoring and compliance with EU standards, ensuring alignment with national climate targets.
Environmental context
The plant's coal combustion produces CO2, SOx, NOx, and particulate matter, contributing to local and regional air quality concerns. Located in a populated area of North Rhine-Westphalia, emissions are regulated under the EU Industrial Emissions Directive. The facility's age and subcritical technology result in lower efficiency and higher emissions per MWh compared to modern supercritical or CCGT plants. Proximity to residential zones necessitates stringent emission controls and monitoring.
Frequently asked questions
Kraftwerk Werdohl-Elverlingsen is located in Werdohl, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
The plant has a capacity of 310 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale coal power plant.
The plant is owned and operated by Mark-E AG, a regional energy company in Germany.
The plant must comply with the EU Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU) and Best Available Techniques (BAT) conclusions for large combustion plants, which limit emissions of SOx, NOx, and particulates.
As a coal plant, it is part of Germany's phase-out plan under the Energiewende, with a target to end coal use by 2038. The plant's operation is subject to decreasing capacity factors and potential decommissioning.