Air quality

Vattenfall continuously works to limit emissions to air from our operations. Thanks to increased efficiency and modernisation of our power plants, emissions have decreased substantially over the last decade.

When burning fossil fuels, biomass and waste to generate electricity and heat, flue gas is produced, which needs to be cleaned before it is emitted into the atmosphere. The composition of flue gas varies depending on the fuel burned and the combustion process. From Vattenfall’s operations, the predominant emission to air is carbon dioxide (CO₂). Other emissions to air include sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOX) and particulate emissions (dust).

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is generated from combustion of fuels with carbon content and is one of the main green house gases that contribute to global warming.

Sulphur dioxide (SO₂) is generated when combusting fuels containing sulphur compounds, such as coal and oil. When emitted to the air, sulphur dioxide reacts with water and causes acidification of water and soil.

Nitrogen oxides (NOX) are emitted from all normal combustion, because nitrogen reacts with oxygen during combustion. This happens when anything is burned, from the smallest candle, to a wood fire, to biomass, as well as fossil fuel combustion. Nitrogen oxides (NOX ) have many adverse effects on the environment such as causing ground-level ozone that triggers respiratory problems, and contributing to acidification and eutrophication.

Reducing of CO₂ emissions

Vattenfall is investing continuously to improve the environmental performance of our power plants. Taking a 30-year perspective on the reduction of emissions to air, the results have been substantial. We have virtually eliminated particulates, while SO2 and NOX emissions have been significantly reduced through modern technology. The plan now is to do the same with CO2 emissions through the development of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology.

Specific emissions of carbon dioxide (per kWh) from plants currently owned by Vattenfall are 25% lower today than in 1990 for both electricity and heat. Emissions of SO₂, NOX and particles per kWh of generated energy from our power plants have decreased even more as a result of improved flue gas cleaning and increased generation from low-emitting energy sources.

Building efficient power plants

In Germany, Vattenfall owns and operates Europe’s most modern and efficient fossil-fuel-based power plants. Over the past fifteen years, there have been major investments made, to modernise the existing lignite-fired plants and construct new ones and shut down old plants.

Modernising Polish power plants

We have an ongoing modernisation programme for our Polish plants, and continuing investments will fulfil future EU emission standard requirements. Most of the 36 boilers at three plants in Warsaw have been thoroughly modernised or replaced during the past two years.