Power Decarbonising energy
On the path to
carbon neutrality Uniper CEO Andreas Schierenbeck sets out the company’s decarbonisation strategy and how other fossil fuel generators can reduce global emissions
D
uring the past couple of years, activists have spurred a vigorous and muchneeded debate over the future of energy and the planet. The focus has been on a shift to renewables, and the voices of legacy fossil fuel producers have largely been overlooked. These companies, though, are best-placed to make the most significant impact in the reduction of global emissions. In March 2020, Uniper set out a bold decarbonisation strategy to achieve carbon-neutrality by 2035 – something that may once have seemed an unlikely step for a company with a history as a conventional generator. However, there is a clear path for energy generators to play a vital role in the future energy mix. It is incumbent upon them not only to take the necessary steps, but also to share knowledge and bring all stakeholders together for maximum impact.
emissions by up to 65% during the next two decades. While renewables now make up 20% of Europe’s energy output, demand continues to outpace uptake, so gas will be vital in making emissions cuts quicker and in complementing wind and solar. Where possible, Uniper is also repurposing existing coal plants such as our site in Scholven for gas generation, making use of existing infrastructure.
Innovation in hydrogen
Energy companies need to increase the carbon-efficiency of gas further by investing in green hydrogen
Energy companies need to increase the carbon efficiency of gas further by investing in blue hydrogen, and in the great potential of green hydrogen. Hydrogen can be produced using renewables-powered electrolysis, only giving off water in the process and thus making it
Converting coal to gas Completing the coal exit is the crucial first step towards decarbonisation, and this is therefore the cornerstone of Uniper’s strategy. By 2025, we plan to close 2.9GW of coal-fired capacity in Germany. By the end of 2025, we will have reduced our German carbon emissions by 40%, and we intend to submit a further 1.4GW to the federal government’s shutdown scheme by 2026. Including previous closures, this will yield total carbon savings of up to 18m metric tonnes per year. Converting to gas sits alongside Uniper’s coal exit. With around half the emissions intensity of coal, conversion to gas as a fuel is the fastest way for Europe to reduce carbon
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