Bioenergy

Sustainable biomass has played a central role in Ørsted’s transformation from a fossil fuel company to a green energy leader, significantly decarbonising the heat and power plants we own and operate in Denmark.

A worker standing on top of a power plant wearing safety gear.

Bidding farewell to coal

Since 2006, Ørsted has undertaken a massive biomass conversion programme, rebuilding and upgrading our coal-fired combined heat and power (CHP) plants so that they can run on sustainable biomass.

By 2019, we’d reduced our coal consumption by 91 %. What’s more, thanks to the significant role our CHP plants play in heating and powering Denmark, our biomass conversion programme has been one of the largest contributors to the country’s national emissions reductions.

By 2023, we’ll have fully phased out the use of coal in our operations*. This’ll mark the end of a chapter in Ørsted’s green transformation story.

What is bioenergy?

Bioenergy is a form of renewable energy that’s generated from burning biomass. Biomass is organic matter like straw, wood chips, and wood pellets. Bioenergy can be used to help meet the demand for renewable energy by producing electricity and district heating. Our biomass energy generation saves millions of tonnes of CO2 emissions every year.

SUSTAINABLE BIOMASS

Sustainable biomass is a crucial step on our path towards phasing out coal, while also keeping a high-level security of supply. Find out how we ensure that the biomass we use is truly sustainable.

Learn more about our sustainable journey

OUR HEAT AND POWER PLANTS

We currently operate seven combined heat and power plants in Denmark, along with one heat plant and one peak load power plant.

Explore our CHP plants

Bird's-eye view of Skaerbaek Power Station.

Electricity and heat production

Our bioenergy capabilities ensure reliable, clean, and sustainable electricity and heat production.

Learn more about electricity and heat production

RENESCIENCE

We’ve developed a unique method to turn unsorted household waste into energy and recycled materials. Using an enzyme-based technology called Renescience, we’ve built a first-of-its-kind waste treatment facility in the UK.

Find out more about Renescience technology

* 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.