Environmental FAQs
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 behave differently on environmental issues in different countries?
What does Vattenfall do to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide?
Is Vattenfall likely to invest in nuclear power and build new nuclear power plants?
How much is Vattenfall investing in the development of renewable energy?
Why does Vattenfall use fossil fuels as energy sources in Germany and Poland?
The conditions for operations in our countries vary due to differences in natural resources and history. The available sources in Germany and Poland are mainly based on fossil fuel. In Sweden and Finland, conditions allow us to rely mainly on hydro and nuclear power. When looking at the whole Vattenfall Group, approximately 20 per cent of our electricity production derives from hydro power, 37 per cent from nuclear power and 42 per cent from fossil-fuel-based power. A small part derives from wind power and biofuel.
Does Vattenfall behave differently on environmental issues in different countries?
No. Vattenfall has an overall environmental policy that is applied consistently in each and every country. We naturally 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 – and wind power and hydro power are no exception. 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. Lignite secures more than 30 per cent of Germany’s electricity supply, and 50 per cent of base-load production, which is of utmost importance to industry. Nevertheless, Vattenfall’s ambition to be number one for the environment is just as valid in Germany as it is in Sweden. We operate the most modern lignite-fired plants in the world – and it is mainly thanks to emission reductions from our plants that Germany will be able to meet its Kyoto protocol goals.
What does Vattenfall do to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide?
Vattenfall’s climate work is based on three pillars; working internationally to promote a global agreement on the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions, helping customers save energy and continously reduce CO2 emissions from our own plants and operations. Vattenfall intends to cut emissions (g/kWh) in half by 2030, compared to 1990, while maintaining or even increasing energy production levels. Combustion of fossil fuels in power plants for electricity and heat generation in Germany and Poland is the dominant source of air emissions. Due to the increased efficiency and modernisation of our plants, emissions have decreased substantially over the last decade. Compared with 1990, specific carbon dioxide emissions from Vattenfall’s total energy and heating generation have decreased by about 30 per cent (when compared to the same amount of energy delivered). In Germany, we are building the world's first pilot plant for a coal-fired power station, where the carbon dioxide will be separated and then stored in bedrock. The aim is to almost entirely eliminate carbon dioxide emissions. Vattenfall is also working intensively to further develop and improve the efficiency of CO2 neutral fuels that are already established in energy systems. Work is focused mainly on hydro power, nuclear power, biofuels and wind power. Vattenfall supports the European Union emission trading system – a major vehicle in significantly reducing the emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. We are actively working to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide. CEO Lars G Josefsson is strongly committed to responsible handling of the climate change issue and promotes a global emission quota system. For more information on what we are doing to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, see our special interest sites “The CO2 free power plant” and our Climate site.
Is Vattenfall likely to invest in nuclear power and build new nuclear power plants?
Vattenfall regards nuclear power as a good source of energy that is environmentally and technically economical. Nuclear power is a low emitting energy source, and therefore part of the puzzle necessary to reduce greenhouse gases and combat climate change. At the same time, we must also respect the requirements and limitations set by society on this energy resource. Decisions on improving excisting nucleas plants, or investing in new-build must be taken with careful consideration of the regulations in the country in question. As all energy source have their benefits and limitations, they must be assessed on the basis of their prerequisites, and we must weight issues such as assets, costs, environmental impact, controllability, efficiency, and economic and legal restrictions. As a large energy company, Vattenfall is able to use a combination of different alternatives to conform to strict demands on availability, environmental properties and economy.
How much is Vattenfall investing in the development of renewable energy?
Vattenfall’s board has decided that the company should aim to conduct projects to increase the amount of renewable electricity generated by the company in Sweden by 10 Twh by 2016. The major part of the potential projects relates to wind power. In total, this investement will be in the vincinity of EUR 4 billion. Vattenfall invested EUR 84 million in research and development in 2006, of witch EUR 7.1 million pertained to R&D in renewable energy. Approx. EUR 1.4 million is going into wave power research between the years 2007 to 2014. Vattenfall is currently building a large off shore wind farm and is planning further expansion of wind power, which will involve further investments. In order to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions, the proportion of electricity generated from renewable energy sources must be increased. The main sources are hydro power, biofuels and wind power. This is one of the important ways to make improvements.
What is Vattenfall doing to develop wind power
Vattenfall has been working with wind power for more than 30 years and believes it to be an excellent complement to other forms of energy production. Vattenfall owns a total of more than 500 wind turbines in Sweden, Denmark, England, Finland and Poland and generates about 1.2 TWh of electrical energy annually. Vattenfall is one of Sweden’s largest actors in the wind power area and owns about 60 wind turbines in Sweden. The Lillgrund wind farm, off the Swedish south coast, is being put into operation during 07/08. It will be the biggest wind farm in Sweden and have a capacity of 110 MW, supplying renewable electricity to approximately 60 000 homes. Vattenfall is currently planning a number of other wind power projects in Sweden, on shore as well as offshore. The strategic ambition is to produce 8 TWh wind energy by the year 2016. This corresponds to the supply of renewable energy to approximately 1,6 million homes. Vattenfall is also an important actor in Denmark where we own 406 wind turbines as well as 60% of one of the largest offshore wind farm in the world, Horns rev. In Denmark, a repowering program is being performed, substituting old wind turbines with newer and more efficient ones. In England, Vattenfall owns the Kentish Flats offshore wind farm.
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