Greenhouse gas emissions (EN16–18)
The predominant greenhouse gas emission, and most significant environmental impact of Vattenfall’s operations, consists of the direct CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion for electricity and heat production. Emissions of other greenhouse gases than CO2 and emissions from other activities than direct energy generation amounts to 0.7 million tonnes of CO2-equivalents, which corresponds to approximately 1% of the reported CO2 emissions1). Emissions from use of electricity (scope 2 according to the Greenhouse Gas protocol) are included in direct emission, since most electricity used is from Vattenfall’s own generation.
CO2 emissions are dependent on weather conditions (see also EN3–4). During cold winters, demand for heat and electricity is higher, resulting in more generation and consequently more emissions. During a very dry year, when there is less availability of hydro power, generation from other – possibly fossil-based – energy sources will increase. This is also the case when nuclear power plants are not in operation. This makes it difficult to monitor short-term trends in CO2 emissions.
1) 90% of these emissions are N2O emissions and the remaining 10% are CO2 emissions from operations, business travel and facilities, and emissions of other greenhouse gases.
Million tonnes | Sweden | Finland | Denmark | Germany | Poland | Total 2008 | Total 2007 | Total 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CO2 from electricity generation | 0.099 | 0.062 | 3.03 | 67.6 | 2.03 | 72.8 | 75.0 | 74.5 |
| CO2 from heat production | 0.324 | 0.267 | 2.23 | 2.87 | 4.02 | 9.71 | 9.73 | 10.3 |
| Total | 0.424 | 0.328 | 5.26 | 70.4 | 6.06 | 82.5 | 84.7 | 84.8 |
Rounding differences, affecting the last significant digit, may occur in this table. Only CO2 from fossil fuels is reported. Peat is included as a fossil fuel, although the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) classifies it as a category of its own, between renewable and fossil. Allocation between electricity and heat in combined heat and power (CHP) production is done according to local practice.
Total CO2 emissions from Vattenfall’s power plants were lower in 2008 compared with 2007. This is a result of a decrease in fossil-based generation, mainly due to lower availability and planned outages of coal-fired plants in Germany and Denmark. In Sweden, CO2 emissions increased in 2008 compared with 2007 mainly due to an outage in the CHP plant in Uppsala in 2007, which resulted in a changed fuel mix. In addition, reduced nuclear power generation in 2008 caused the start-up of fossil- based peak load plants in the fourth quarter.
g/kWh | Sweden | Finland | Denmark | Germany | Poland | Total 2008 | Total 2007 | Total 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CO2 from electricity generation | 1.24 | 61.3 | 418 | 981 | 545 | 453 | 453 | 441 |
| CO2 from heat production | 83.1 | 172 | 473 | 163 | 377 | 252 | 255 | 255 |
Only minor variations exist in specific CO2 emissions (per generated kWh) between 2007 and 2008 at the Group level while there were variations at the country level. In general, increased generation in low-emitting generation such as nuclear power, hydro power and biomass combustion leads to a reduction in specific CO2 emissions. This is also the case for increased energy efficiency in power plants. Vattenfall’s long-term targets for CO2 reductions are set on specific emissions rather than total, since society’s need for energy must be met while CO2 emissions are reduced.
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
Vattenfall has set targets for reduced CO2 emissions. The long-term target is a 50% reduction of CO2 emissions per unit of generated electricity and heat in existing own operations until 2030, compared with 1990 levels. The short-term business planning target is a 2% reduction, corresponding to 2 million tonnes, in own operations from 2009 to 2011. Vattenfall’s climate vision is to be climate- neutral by 2050 (2030 in the Nordic region). These radical reductions will be made possible by developing the generation portfolio towards low CO2 emitting generation.
Activities and investments to reduce CO2 emissions include increasing generation from renewable energy sources, equipping coal-fired power plants with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology, and increasing capacity of nuclear power. In addition, improvements are being made to existing technology in an effort to increase efficiency, resulting in reduced emissions per generated unit of electricity and heat. See EN 3–4 Energy efficiency.
Investments and work on reducing emissions are long-term. A fundamental requirement is that society’s need for secure energy supply and stable energy prices is met.
Reduction of CO2 emissions
Renewable energy
- In 2008 significant investments were made in wind power projects, making Vattenfall a world leader in offshore wind power. The Thanet Offshore Wind project in UK will have installed capacity of approximately 300 MW. The acquisition of UK-based Eclipse Energy, an energy developer primarily focused on wind, as well as of AMEC Wind Energy Ltd, enables Vattenfall to take an active role in UK wind development. Furthermore, Vattenfall has entered into a partnership with the Scottish giant in the industry of renewables, ScottishPower Renewables, to make joint bids for additional offshore wind development.
- Co-combustion of biomass fuels is increasing. In Poland, the aim is to diversify the fuel mix and 5% of the Żeran´ and Siekierki power plants’ fuel source will be converted to biomass by 2011.
- The “MaxBio” programme in the Danish power plants was established in 2008 and will lead to a dramatic increase in biomass use. An estimated 724,000 tonnes of coal per year will be replaced by biomass by 2018, which will lead to a 27% reduction of CO2 emissions.
- Development of ocean energy continues and is expected to be the next commercial renewable energy technology after wind power. Vattenfall is co-operating in wave power pilot plants off the coast of Norway and western Sweden. A co-operation agreement regarding wave power development was signed with Irish Wavebob in March 2008, and in January 2009 Vattenfall acquired 51% of the Irish site development company for ocean energy, Pandion Ltd.
- In June 2008, Vattenfall’s plans for a new hydro power plant in Abelvattnet, Sweden, were approved by the environmental court, which will enable the construction of a new hydro power plant that will generate 14.2 GWh electricity per year. The planned completion date is 2010
Coal using Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
Vattenfall is a leader in the development and commercialisation of CCS technology. See also Technology as a tool to cut emissions in the narrative section and 2008 Annual Report on CCS.
- In September 2008, a 30 MWth CCS pilot plant was inaugurated in Schwarze Pumpe, Germany, which will provide valuable experience needed to develop demonstration plants and full-scale commercial power plants.
- In February, 2008 Vattenfall announced the intention to develop a full-scale CCS demonstration plant in Denmark. By 2013, the Nordjylland power plant (Nordjyllandsværket) will be equipped with CCS.
- A demonstration plant is planned for Jänschwalde, Germany, by 2015. Feasibility studies were initiated in 2008.
Nuclear power
Nuclear power generation has very low emissions and plays an important role in Vattenfall’s 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. For additional information see EU20.
