ENGIE is to install a green-powered E-boiler at the Ems power plant. The E-boiler replaces a gas-fired steam boiler.
A steam boiler in a power plant heats water to steam. In many cases, this is done by burning gas or coal, for example. The steam drives a turbine, which runs a generator to generate electricity. So at the Ems power plant, ENGIE is switching to an electric boiler, also known as an E-boiler.
Large electric kettle
The E-boiler is basically a large electric kettle. It produces steam using green electricity, reducing natural gas consumption and CO2 emissions. At the Ems power plant, the E-boiler replaces a gas-fired steam boiler and is mainly used for industrial processes. The E-boiler will be located next to the Ems power plant. The steam supports ENGIE's electricity production and is used exclusively for this purpose.
ENGIE will sign contracts with suppliers for the project in the coming period. Technical elaboration and construction preparations will start after that. Construction is scheduled to start in the second half of 2025, with completion in spring 2026.
Operational since 1977
The ENGIE Eems power plant has been producing electricity in Eemshaven since 1977. The current five CCGT units, built in the 1990s, have a combined capacity of 1800 MW. This accounts for about 10% of the Dutch power capacity. The efficiency of the CCGT units is around 56%.
Special features of the power plant include the arrangement of five CCGT units in a row. The Eems power plant is one of the largest power plants in the Netherlands.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Image: ENGIE
