Biomass conversion programme


Powering a greener future

At our bioenergy power plants, we produce electricity and heat using biomass and natural gas, providing clean and reliable energy.

 
We continuously work to reduce CO2 emissions from electricity and heat production. And by 2023 we will have totally replaced coal as a fuel*, with sustainable biomass.
We were among the first to establish biomass-fired power stations and now have one of the world´s largest biomass businesses in Denmark.

Early on we recognized the impact biomass had in helping to create a greener future. As long as biomass is sustainably sourced, it is considered to be a CO2-neutral fuel because it emits the same amount of CO2 from burning, which it absorbs during growth.

Parallel to the conversion of our coal and gas-fired power plants, we lead from the front with pioneering technological innovations which for example turn waste into energy.

We have built, the first of its kind, waste treatment facility in the UK. Using Renescience, an innovative enzyme-based waste treatment technology, the Northwich plant will be a world first bioenergy facility.

* Following orders from the Danish authorities, Ørsted must delay its target to stop using coal one year to 2024. Ørsted maintains its goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2025.

To ensure the security of the electricity supply in Denmark, the Danish authorities have decided to order Ørsted to continue and resume operations of three of its Danish power station units. This applies to two units which use coal as their primary source of fuel, and one which uses oil as fuel. One of these is Ørsted’s last coal-fired powerplant in operation, scheduled to be decommissioned on 31 March 2023, and the two other units have already been decommissioned.

The Danish authorities have ordered Ørsted to keep the three units in operation until 30 June 2024.

Renescience

Turning waste into green energy

Bird's-eye view of a waste-to-energy plant.
Anna-Grethe Hjortkjær, Director of Customer Solutions at Ørsted.

Anna-Grethe Hjortkjær, Director, Customer Solutions

"At Ørsted, we have one of the most exciting agendas one could wish for: helping to ensure that our future wealth and growth can take place in an environmentally sustainable way."