Overview
HKW3 UPM Schongau is a 65 MW gas power plant in Schongau, Germany, operated by UPM GmbH. It supplies energy to the local paper mill and grid.
HKW3 UPM Schongau is a gas-fired power plant located in Schongau, Bavaria, Germany. With a capacity of 65 MW, it is a medium-scale facility within the German power generation sector, primarily serving the industrial needs of the adjacent UPM paper mill. The plant operates under the European Union's Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU), which sets strict emission limits for SOx, NOx, and dust. As a gas-fired plant, it benefits from lower CO2 emissions compared to coal, aligning with Germany's Energiewende transition towards cleaner energy sources. The facility uses natural gas, a fuel with a lower carbon footprint, and likely employs combined cycle or simple cycle technology typical for industrial cogeneration. HKW3 UPM Schongau plays a key role in providing reliable power and heat to the paper production process, enhancing energy efficiency through cogeneration. Its location in a rural area minimizes direct population exposure, while its modern design ensures compliance with EU Best Available Techniques (BAT) for emission control.
Environmental context
The plant's gas fuel type results in lower CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions compared to coal or oil, reducing its local air quality impact. Its location in a rural area near Schongau limits exposure to dense populations. The facility's 65 MW capacity places it in the medium-scale category, with environmental performance governed by EU BAT standards.
Frequently asked questions
HKW3 UPM Schongau is located in Schongau, Bavaria, Germany, at coordinates 48.1603° N, 10.1144° E.
The plant has a capacity of 65 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale gas power plant.
The plant is owned by UPM GmbH, a Finnish forest industry company, and is used to power its paper mill operations.
Gas power plants in Germany must comply with the EU Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU), which sets emission limits for pollutants like NOx and SOx, and the German Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG).
The plant likely operates as a combined heat and power (CHP) facility, providing both electricity and heat to the UPM paper mill, which improves overall energy efficiency.