High temperature and high pressure are the keys to higher efficiency. E.ON will build the worldwide first large coal-fired power plant with an efficiency of more than 50 percent and a capacity of about 500 MW. In the COMTES700 project in our Scholven facility the power plant of the future is already beginning to become reality. There elements and components of innovative materials, that can withstand a steam temperature of 700°C and pressure of 350 bar (about 5,365 psi) are already being tested. This EU funded joint project is a milestone on the way to the 50 percent coal power plant. An efficiency of more than 50 percent is a quantum leap in power plant technology. Up to now, the most modern plants can achieve efficiencies of 46 percent. The average in Germany is only 38 percent. In an 800 MW power plant, up to 1.3 million tons of CO₂ per year can be saved.

 

The location of our power plant 50 plus has been decided: the 500 megawatt prototype is going to be built in Wilhelmshaven. E.ON is investing around EUR 1 billion in the project. The coastal city Wilhelmshaven is ideally suited for such a plant. Required amounts of cooling water can be taken from the North Sea and large high sea freight ships can deliver imported coal right to the plant. Planning will be complete by the end of 2008, with construction beginning as early as 2010. Beginning in 2014, the commissioning of this one-of-a-kind power plant will open up a new dimension in the conversion of coal into electricity.