Environmental FAQ
There are numerous questions put to Vattenfall every day. Politicians, customers, our own employees, the general public, and the media request information on manifold and diverse issues.
The following list of questions focuses on the environment.
Why does Vattenfall use fossil fuels as energy sources in Germany and Poland?
Does Vattenfall view environmental issues differently in different countries?
What is Vattenfall doing to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide?
Is Vattenfall planning to invest in nuclear power plants?
How much is Vattenfall investing in the development of renewable energy?
What is Vattenfall doing to develop wind power?
Why does Vattenfall use fossil fuels as energy sources in Germany and Poland?
We generate power and heat based on the particular conditions in each country. These conditions vary due to differences in natural resources and history. In Sweden and Finland, conditions allow us to rely mainly on hydro and nuclear power. The available sources in Germany and Poland are mainly based on fossil fuels.
No matter what energy sources we use, it is our aim to continue reducing our impact on the environment in all countries where we operate.
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Does Vattenfall view environmental issues differently in different countries?
We have an overall environmental policy that is applied consistently in each and every country where we operate. Naturally, we respect differences in the environmental legislation of different countries. However, natural resources and the basic conditions for electricity generation vary considerably.
It’s a fact that any kind of electricity generation automatically involves interference with the environment – wind power and hydro power are no exceptions. While Sweden can base electricity generation on hydro power to a large extent, this would not be a valid option for a country like Germany with almost ten times the population and hardly any natural resources for hydro power or in Poland where the electricity production is almost completely based on coal (94%).
Nevertheless, our ambition to be number one for the environment is just as valid in Germany and Poland as it is in Sweden. We operate the most modern lignite-fired plants in the world – and it is mainly because of our efforts in emission reductions from our plants that Germany will be able to meet its Kyoto protocol goals.
Stricter requirements regarding emission reduction will be applied in Poland in 2016, and work has begun to equip the Polish facilities with modern installations dedicated to improved flue gas cleaning. Vattenfall’s broad base of experience in this area is expected to provide valuable support.
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What is Vattenfall doing to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide?
We are working actively on reducing carbon dioxide emissions from our own operations, and our target is to cut our emissions in half by 2030, from 1990 levels. A central part of our climate work entails steadily reducing CO2 emissions from our own facilities.
Due to the increased efficiency and modernisation of our plants, emissions have decreased substantially over the last fifteen years. Compared with 1990, specific carbon dioxide emissions from Vattenfall’s total energy and heating generation have decreased by about 22 per cent for total electricity and heat production. In Germany, we have built the world's first pilot plant for CCS – Carbon Capture and Storage - where the carbon dioxide from a coal-fired plant will be separated and then stored in bedrock.
The aim is to almost entirely eliminate carbon dioxide emissions. We are also investing heavily in renewable energy such as wind power, ocean energy, hydro power and bioenergy and continuously strive to improve efficiency in our power plants and electricity distribution grids.
In addition, we help our customers use energy more efficiently, for example by improving the efficiency of the manufacturing processes of our corporate customers. On top of this, we are strongly engaged in international climate work where we are working to bring about a global accord on reducing greenhouse gases. This includes our launch of the global 3C initiative – Combat Climate Change – that has rallied the participation of some 65 international companies. Vattenfall has also created a Climate Map that includes analyses and suggestions on how emissions can be reduced globally.
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Is Vattenfall planning to invest in nuclear power plants?
At the end of 2008, Vattenfall decided to take a leading global position in nuclear safety and power generation. The decision made by the Swedish government in February 2009 to allow new construction of nuclear reactors also enables continued electricity generation with low emissions.
Nuclear power is important in our electricity generation. On account of its very low CO2 emissions, environmental performance, competitiveness and safe operation, nuclear power will continue to be an important part of the energy system in the foreseeable future.
We believes that nuclear power is needed as a stable base power source and our roadmap calls for expansion of total nuclear power generation in markets where there is confidence in this source of energy. This includes renewing current capacity and potentially investing in new and more efficient capacity. However, the share of nuclear power in the total portfolio is expected to decline since other energy sources are expected to grow more.
In Sweden Vattenfall operates seven reactors – three in Forsmark and four in Ringhals. Since 2003 Vattenfall has, together with other owners, invested approximately SEK 10 billion in a major, long-term investment programme in the Swedish facilities. The programme covers measures for improving the level of safety, extending the plants’ useful life, and increasing capacity. The goal is to maintain world-class nuclear safety and generation.
Together with other owners, Vattenfall plans to invest approximately SEK 50 billion in its Swedish nuclear power plants 2003–2030.
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How much is Vattenfall investing in the development of renewable energy?
Vattenfall’s ambition is to develop our generation portfolio in order to meet the long-term target of reducing CO2 emissions per generated energy unit in own operations by 50% by 2030 compared with 1990. This will be done by replacing old capacity, investing in renewables and nuclear power, and applying CO2 reduction measures in existing facilities. This transition will take time and will require significant financial strength for investment. Vattenfall’s plans are already being executed.
In addition to the investment programme, which will lead to new and improved renewable generation capacity (mainly in wind power, biomass-fired and hydro power plants), Vattenfall invested a total of SEK 1,322 million in R&D in the Group in 2009. Of this, SEK 141 million pertains to R&D on renewable energy.
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What is Vattenfall doing to develop wind power?
Vattenfall has invested and continues to invest heavily in wind power, and the share of electricity generation from wind power rose from 0.1 TWh to 1.7 TWh from 2004 to 2009.
Vattenfall is today one of the world’s largest wind power operators. The Group has approximately 700 wind power turbines in nine countries, which together generate enough electricity to power approximately 350,000 households.
At year-end 2009 construction was in progress of eight wind farms in six countries, which will result in a doubling of Vattenfall’s wind power electricity generation from 2 to 4 TWh in when they come on stream in 2011.
Vattenfall is investing in both offshore and onshore wind power. The Thanet wind farm offshore Britain’s south-east coast is one of Vattenfall’s largest current construction projects. Once it comes on stream in 2010 it will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm . Thanet will have capacity of 300 MW generated by 100 wind turbines and will satisfy the electricity needs of 240,000 households
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