Contract with General Electric for the building of a new 400MW gas-fired unit at Moerdijk
In the coming years Essent will be investing in several large-scale gas-fired units and wind projects. The investments are the result of Essent's strategic objectives of providing reliable, reasonably-priced and sustainable energy. In order to realise this ambition in the longer term, Essent intends to drive back emissions per kWh still further and to substantially reduce the CO2 risk.
The investments relate to the following gas and wind projects:
Gas-fired units
Moerdijk power station
Today Essent signed a contract with General Electric for the building of a new 400MW gas-fired unit at Moerdijk. This will be an ultra-modern CCGT unit; a Combined Cycle Gas Turbine which generates electricity and uses the residual heat released for extra production of electricity via a steam turbine. The new unit is expected to be completed by the end of 2011. This means that the total capacity of the Moerdijk power station will increase from the current 400MW to 800MW.
Claus power station
The contracts for the modernisation and expansion of the Claus power station at Maasbracht will also be signed shortly. The Claus power station will increase in capacity from 1280MW to 1840MW.
These investments - as well as a total capacity expansion of 960 MW - will bring about a broad structural improvement in both efficiency (from 39% to 58%) and emissions (minus 50%).
As was announced earlier, Essent is also investing in the Gate LNG terminal (Maasvlakte) and it is working on the development of an LNG terminal at Eemshaven (Groningen).
Wind projects
In the field of wind energy Essent will concentrate its efforts in coming years on producing a number of onshore and offshore wind parks.
In view of this emphasis on gas-fired units and wind energy, Essent has decided to suspend development of the hybrid unit Amer 10 (Geertruidenberg) for the time being. This is due to a number of developments. For instance, as a result of the anticipated scheme for allocating CO2 emission rights, prospects are far from positive and there is uncertainty about the subsidy of biomass needed (for many years). In order to be able to continue to guarantee heating supplies from the Amer heating supply network, investigations will be made into extending the lifespan of the existing unit Amer 8.
In the long term, the provision of electricity cannot be based solely on natural gas and wind. Therefore Essent directs its attention at the following:
- Essent has begun a study into the feasibility of an integrated coal gasifier with a Steam and Gas Turbine Unit (Integrated Gasifier Combined Cycle) in combination with the possibility of capturing and storing CO2 (Carbon Capture and Storage).
- For Essent, sustainable biomass (wood, agricultural residues) constitutes an important fuel for the large-scale production of Green Electricity.
- Essent continues to follow developments in the field of nuclear energy very closely. The big question where nuclear energy is concerned is whether, for example due to the problems surrounding CO2, there will be any social and political support for nuclear energy. If there is, Essent, with or without partners, will immediately start research on a nuclear energy project.
Essent believes that this will enable it to continue to drive back emissions per kWh and substantially reduce the CO2 risk.
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