Low-emitting technologies

Vattenfall’s environmental strategy is to focus on growth in low CO₂-emitting energy production. Over the next 20 years, the energy system must be further adapted to support sustainable development in society.

The challenge is to provide energy with an acceptable environmental impact at prices customers, and society, are willing to pay. Vattenfall’s long-term investment roadmap represents a transition to new energy sources to ensure future value creation and to reach the tough targets on reducing CO₂ emissions.

The roadmap for the future generation portfolio comprises an increased diversity in power generation and also reflects Vattenfall’s intentions to grow. The roadmap is an example how Vattenfall’s strategic ambitions are realised and is based on current knowledge and preconditions in terms of cost, environmental impact, society’s confidence and security of supply.

Vattenfall’s shift in the generation portfolio

CSR report 2010 - Can you use more biomass instead of coal

Renewable energy

Vattenfall is investing heavily to increase the share of renewable energy in our production. Our ambition is to substantially increase our electricity generation derived from wind power, hydro power and biomass-based power. Substantial investments are being made in several areas, above all wind power. Vattenfall is today one of the world´s largest wind power operators. Vattenfall will continue to expand its involvement in offshore wind power in the countries around the North Sea and onshore in prioritised markets.

Vattenfall is currently conducting several major biomass projects and intends to increase co-combustion of biomass in existing coal-fired plants to reduce CO₂ emissions. The largest increase in the use of biomass will be in heat production.

The goal is to increase the use of biomass as much as possible within the confines of responsible use. Development of ocean energy continues. The technology is still in the development phase and is not expected to be commercially viable until some time after 2020. 

Vattenfall’s project on CCS – Carbon Capture and Storage

Our CCS project is a major research and development project to develop technologies for capture and storage of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from coal-fired power plants. The project’s objective is to have a commercial concept ready by 2020. Research and testing is being performed in our full scale pilot plant in Germany.

Nuclear power

Nuclear power generation has very low emissions and plays an important role in our strategy to reduce CO₂ emissions from electricity generation in the markets where it is accepted. Significant investments are being made to further improve operational efficiency and fuel efficiency in the Group’s nuclear plants, thereby reducing environmental impact per generated kWh of electricity. In parallel, continuous efforts are being made to ensure excellence in safety management.