RWE to cofire biomass at two Dutch coal-fired power plants
German energy company RWE said it plans to retrofit its Amer 9 and Eemshaven coal-fired power stations in the Netherlands to increase the amount of biomass they can burn. The 642 MW Amer 9 will raise its biomass ratio to 80% from 35%, while the 1,554 MW Eemshaven will achieve 15%. The Dutch government has approved subsidies of up to $3.5bn.
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On Aug. 14, Germany-based RWE AG released second quarter financial results. A quarterly financial report released by the company briefly discusses plans to cofire biomass at two coal-fired power plants.

Within its quarterly presentation, RWE said its executive board decided earlier this year to retrofit its two Dutch hard coal-fired power plants Amer 9 and Eemshaven to cofire biomass. According to the company, the Dutch state approved subsidies of up to €2.6 billion ($3.5 billion) for the two plants. Along with the retrofitting, the company said subsidies will also finance the additional expenses for procuring fuel. RWE said the funds will be received over an eight year period.

According to RWE, the subsidies are allocated so that Amer 9 can achieve a biomass ratio of 80 percent, rather than the previous 35 percent, with Eemshaven able to achieve a ratio of approximately 15 percent.

The 643 MW Amer 9 power station has been in operation since 1993. The twin unit at Eemshaven has a capacity of 1,554 MW and has been generating power since 2014.

In its report, RWE said it plans to use a total of 2.5 million metric tons annually at the two facilities, which will lower carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 4 million metric tons. Biomass will be sourced from Europe and North America and will satisfy the requirements of Dutch sustainability protocol.