E.ON Kraftwerke GmbH: Schkopau lignite-fired power station – New energy from native raw material

The Schkopau power station, operated by Hanover-based E.ON Kraftwerke GmbH, has a net output of 900 megawatts and converts up to six million tonnes of Cen­­tral German lignite into electricity and process steam. For reasons of supply se­curity, the plant, which works in co­­ge­­n­­eration, is operated with two almost identical units which function indepen­­dently of each other. The power sta­­tion supplies three energy customers – the neighbouring chemical industry, the Deut­­sche Bahn AG and public power sup­ply (Vattenfall Europe). Power is supplied in different load ranges. An in­­­­­­­­­­no­­va­­tive feature of the Schkopau power station is its operational flexibility which is unusually high for a lignite-fired power station. As a reliable energy supplier and fair employer, the pow­­er station is a stable economic factor in the re­­gion.

The latest technologies ensure a supply of more energy from less fuel. The production of electricity is future-orient­­ed and very efficient thanks to the uti­­lization of energy and material. Its em­­ployees make an important contribution to the power station’s efficiency and safe­­ty at work has top priority here. Bear­­ing this in mind, the Schkopau power station is facing the challenges posed by the energy industry and is helping to actively shape this process of change.