EnBW Commissioning of H₂-Ready Fuel-Switch Power Plant in Stuttgart-Münster Accelerates Energy Transition

EnBW Commissioning of H₂-Ready Fuel-Switch Power Plant in Stuttgart-Münster Accelerates Energy Transition

(IN BRIEF) EnBW has taken a major stride in its decarbonization journey by commissioning a new H₂-ready fuel-switch power plant at its Stuttgart-Münster site. This power plant replaces older coal-fired components with a modern, natural gas-fired gas turbine facility capable of producing 124 MW of electrical power and 370 MW of thermal energy. The plant is designed to operate flexibly as both base load and peak load support, which is critical for grid stability in regions with high shares of intermittent renewable energy. With a construction process spanning several years—including extensive planning, approval, and modernization phases—the project is a signal for the urgent need to further invest in dispatchable power capacity in Germany. Key benefits of the plant include a significant reduction in carbon emissions—by about 50% compared to traditional coal-fired generation—and the potential for full conversion to hydrogen in the future. This transformation is crucial in meeting Stuttgart’s climate targets, as the district heating network will become entirely coal-free, and carbon emissions are projected to drop by around 60% by 2030. The initiative is part of broader efforts by EnBW to modernize its power portfolio and enhance energy transition through regulatory incentives and innovative technology partnerships, notably with Siemens Energy.

(PRESS RELEASE) STUTTGART, 11-Apr-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — EnBW has officially commissioned its new H₂-ready fuel-switch power plant at the Stuttgart-Münster site, marking a significant step in decarbonizing its power generation portfolio and underscoring the need for additional investments in dispatchable power plant capacity. This advanced plant is one of Germany’s first hydrogen-ready gas turbine power plants and is strategically located to address the growing requirement for flexible power generation, especially in southern Germany, where balancing variable renewable energy sources is essential to maintaining grid stability.

The modernized Stuttgart-Münster site, which has undergone extensive reconstruction over the past three years of planning and two years of construction, previously operated as a combined heat and power (CHP) facility. It formerly relied on coal-fired boilers to supplement heat from its waste incineration process. Now, these coal-fired units are being replaced by the new gas turbine plant, which boasts a gross electrical capacity of 124 MW and supplies 370 MW of thermal energy. This facility is designed for both base load and peak load operation, ensuring reliable electricity and heat for the district heating network serving over 28,500 homes, 1,400 businesses, and 380 public facilities across the central River Neckar region around Stuttgart.

EnBW CEO Dr. Georg Stamatelopoulos highlighted the importance of government support, stating, “The power plants needed for the energy transition cannot be financed by the market alone. This is why the German government needs to create a framework of regulatory incentives for more investment as part of its program for the first 100 days in power.” The new plant not only reduces carbon emissions—with natural gas cutting emissions by approximately 50% compared to coal—but also paves the way for a future fuel switch. From the mid-2030s, EnBW plans to operate the plant on up to 100% low-carbon hydrogen once available in sufficient quantities.

The project further contributes to regional climate goals. Dr. Frank Nopper, Lord Mayor of Stuttgart, stressed that the move to natural gas will render Stuttgart’s district heating system coal-free and is expected to lower carbon emissions by around 60% by 2030. In addition, Dr. Andre Baumann, State Secretary at the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy, noted that the facility plays a crucial role in the heat energy transition across the region. With its rapid startup capabilities, the H₂-ready gas turbine plant also enhances supply security by swiftly compensating for fluctuations in renewable output due to weather variability.

Key technical highlights of the project include the modernization of the existing CHP plant—now featuring three waste-fired boilers, three hot water boilers, and two natural gas-fired gas turbines—compared to the old configuration that included coal-fired components and fuel oil-fired units. The comprehensive modernization involved significant infrastructure work, including the installation of over 70 km of pipework, 90,000 meters of cable, and the use of 35,000 bathtubs of concrete alongside 2,000 metric tons of reinforcing steel.

Siemens Energy, represented by Dr.-Ing. Christian Bruch, has also emphasized its role in enabling the transition to cleaner energy. “Our technologies make it possible to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy and green gases such as hydrogen. Our innovative solutions help increase power plant efficiency and flexibility while reducing carbon emissions. We therefore see ourselves as a key partner in transforming the energy system.”

About EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG

With a workforce of some 30,000 employees, EnBW is one of the largest energy supply companies in Germany and Europe. Providing energy to some 5.5 million customers, EnBW serves all stages of the value chain, from generation and trading to grid operation and the sale of electricity, heat energy and gas. In the company’s transformation from a traditional energy provider to a sustainable infrastructure group, the expansion of renewable energy sources and of the distribution and transportation grids for electricity and gas, including hydrogen, are cornerstones of EnBW’s growth strategy and the focus of its investment spending. EnBW plans gross investment of at least €40 billion by 2030, around 90% of which will be in Germany. By then, renewables are planned to account for around 80% of the EnBW generation portfolio, with coal to be phased out by the end of 2028. These are key milestones on the way to company’s carbon neutrality by 2035. www.enbw.com

Media Contact:

Anja Leipold
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SOURCE: EnBW