Flexible 100 MW Combined Heat and Power Plant in Germany Achieves First Start

The new combined heat and power (CHP) plant built by Kraftwerke Mainz-Wiesbaden AG (KMW) and supplied by Wärtsilä has successfully achieved its so-called first start. In this first run on April 18th the gas-fuelled Wärtsilä 34SG engines of the plant were started for the first time on site. This project milestone constitutes an important step towards the start of operations of the power plant later this year.

Municipal energy producer KMW can in future reliably provide 100 MW of electrical power and up to 96 MW of sustainable district heating to approximately 40,000 households of the city of Mainz. With an efficiency up to 90 percent and the engines’ efficient use of natural gas, the CHP plant will also help reduce emissions. KMW recognises the benefits that greater flexibility in the generation of conventional power offers, as the share of renewables in the system steadily increases. Not only does this flexibility guarantee reliable power supply, but it also enables KMW to operate profitably in short-term power markets.

“This first run of the engines at our combined heat and power (CHP) plant is a very special moment, raising the pleasant anticipation for the start of operations,” said Dr. Lars Eigenmann, CEO at Kraftwerke Mainz-Wiesbaden AG.

“This start of the engines brings us one step closer to the completion of this state-of-the-art power plant. We are proud to deliver a power plant to KMW which will support Germany’s ambitious energy transition towards a renewable energy future. The planned coal-exit and the increasing share of renewables in the power system mean that there will be an even greater need for flexible and efficient capacity,” said Melle Kruisdijk, Vice President, Europe, Wärtsilä Energy Business.

Upon completion of the power plant, the Mainz-Wiesbaden area will be undergoing a transition from a traditional power and heat generation system to a modern, agile, low-carbon system utilising green energy assets to the full.

Wärtsilä’s scope for the power plant covers engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) as well as a 15-year asset performance agreement that guarantees the starting availability and reliability of the plant.