World Power Plants

Heizkraftwerk 3, ranking as the 140th largest power generation facility in Germany, holds a pivotal position in the nation’s energy landscape with a capacity of 211 MW. This coal-fired plant contributes 0.14% to Germany’s total energy capacity of 151,891 MW, which is primarily fueled by coal. As the 57th largest coal plant among 111 in the country, Heizkraftwerk 3 underscores the continued significance of coal in the German energy mix, even as the country pivots towards renewable energy sources. The facility employs conventional coal combustion technology, which is common among coal-fired plants, allowing for the efficient generation of electricity. While coal is increasingly scrutinized for its environmental impact, Heizkraftwerk 3 plays an essential role in the local energy supply, especially during peak demand periods when the reliability of coal can be crucial for grid stability. Heizkraftwerk 3 is part of a notable cluster of coal plants in the region, with several nearby facilities that contribute significantly to the local and national energy supply. Within a 50-kilometer radius, the EMILE HUCHET plant stands out with a capacity of 995 MW, followed by Kraftwerk Bexbach at 726 MW and Weiher at 655.6 MW. Other coal plants like Kraftwerk Fenne and Kraftwerk Ensdorf add to the regional coal capacity with 432 MW and 389 MW respectively, thereby illustrating the heavy reliance on coal in the area. Germany’s energy profile is characterized by a significant dependence on coal, which has raised questions about sustainability and emissions. Nonetheless, Heizkraftwerk 3’s role is vital in ensuring energy reliability as the country transitions to cleaner alternatives. Its capacity, while modest, is crucial for meeting local energy demands within the broader context of Germany's energy strategy to reduce carbon emissions while maintaining energy security. Heizkraftwerk 3 is operated by STEAG Power Saar GmbH and has been generating electricity since its commissioning in 1989. As the energy landscape continues to evolve, the facility's contribution remains important, serving as a bridge in the transition towards more sustainable energy while also raising awareness of the environmental impacts associated with coal usage.

Capacity
211 MW
Commissioning Year
1989

37 years old

Owner
STEAG Power Saar GmbH
Location
49.2490°, 6.8792°

Germany, Europe

Context & rankings
  • 140. largest of 1,483 plants in Germany
  • #7,210 worldwide by installed capacity
  • #2,082 of 2,793 Coal plants worldwide
  • 0.14% of the installed capacity of Germany
Age & fleet comparison

37 years in operation

Coal fleet average: 29.2 years

Operator portfolio

STEAG Power Saar GmbH operates 3 plants totalling 1,046 MW

Regional density

143 plants within 100 km, 24,300 MW combined

Nearest plant: Nordband Solar Power Plant (0.6 km)

Data provenance

Location

Coordinates:: 49.249000, 6.879200
Open in Google Maps
Carbon Footprint820 g CO₂/kWh
Annual CO₂
833.6 Kt
1017 GWh/year × 820 g/kWh
Cumulative CO₂
30.84 Mt
Over 37 years of operation
Closing Soon
2029
3 years remaining
Annual emissions equivalent to
181.2K
cars per year
111.1K
homes per year
37.9M
trees to offset

Estimates based on Coal emission factor (820 g CO₂/kWh) and capacity factor (55%). Actual emissions may vary based on operating conditions, efficiency, and fuel quality.

Technical Details

Primary Fuel Type
Coal
Energy Source
Non-Renewable
Country
Germany
Continent
Europe
Data Source
Global Power Plant Database

GermanyEnergy Profile

1,483
Total Plants
151.8 GW
Total Capacity
CoalGasNuclearHydro
Top Fuels

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