The Marzahn CHP has an electrical capacity of approximately 260 MW, and a thermal capacity of around 230 MW. Together with a gas-fired power plant in Klingenberg, it will form the backbone of the district heating supply in the eastern part of Berlin with a total of 450,000 households.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Marzahn CHP, Berlin major Michael Müller said the new plant will make an important contribution to the city's climate-neutral energy supply. It not only provides electricity for up to approximately one million inhabitants but can also supply around 150,000 Berlin households with district heating.
From Berlin for Berlin
The heart of the plant is a gas turbine manufactured at the Siemens plant in Berlin-Moabit.
"Normally we deliver our gas turbines all over the world. Today, however, we are pleased to be able to commission a gas turbine from Berlin for Berlin," said Jochen Eickholt, member of Siemens Energy’s managing board.
"Siemens Energy is also at home here in Berlin and we are an important employer here. With the new combined heat and power plant, almost a quarter of a million tons of CO2 are avoided each year, which corresponds to the typical emissions of around 125,000 cars. This is how we support the capital on its individual path to climate neutrality."
Tanja Wielgoß, CEO of Vattenfall Wärme Berlin commented the commissioning of the Marzahn CHP the operator has taken “a big step toward meeting the Paris climate protection goals by 2030 with the city of Berlin"
Aiming for hydrogen-fired CHPs
At the same time, a CHP plant like the one in Marzahn can play an important role in the currently hotly debated hydrogen strategy for Germany.
Green hydrogen, produced via electrolysis from excess wind and solar power supply, is currently being tested for use as fuel in replacement for natural gas which could potentially reduce power plant emissions to zero. Siemens is
“The truth here, however, is that a lot of research and development still has to be done, “Wielgoß cautioned, suggesting it might still take a while for this technology to be future-proof for both heating and power supply.