Uniper has permanently closed its Heyden 4 power plant in Petershagen, Germany, marking a significant step in the transition to a coal-free future. The decision to close the plant, which has a capacity of 875 MW and employed 80 people, had been taken in 2020 as part of the company’s decarbonisation plans.
Power plant closure boosts clean energy
The plant, which has been operational since 1987 , has been a mainstay of electricity provision in northern and western Germany. Its closure is a step forward in the company’s strategy to reduce its carbon footprint , in line with Germany’s national goals to phase out coal-fired power generation.
According to Holger Kreetz, Uniper’s COO, this closure is a key step in the company’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2040. “Our employees have played a key role in supply security for decades,” said Kreetz. “Now, with the closure of Heyden 4, we are moving towards the transformation of our energy portfolio.”
In collaboration with the city of Petershagen, the company is developing a master plan for the plant site, with the goal of generating new job opportunities and reorienting infrastructure toward clean energy technologies. This effort reflects the company’s commitment to investing in sustainable projects, including the expansion of solar and wind power , as well as the adoption of green gases such as hydrogen.
A key power plant in the past, a clean future ahead
Heyden 4 has provided reliable energy for more than three decades , and its decommissioning opens the door to new possibilities for the region. According to Uwe Knorr, plant manager, “The plant has been a symbol of energy stability. We are now focusing on developing sustainable energy solutions for the next generations.”
The closure of Heyden 4 is part of a broader process in which Uniper is moving away from fossil fuels and towards renewable and low-carbon energy , reinforcing its role as a leader in Europe’s energy transition.
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Source and photos: Uniper