- EEW Stapelfeld plant will shut down on July 31, 2025, after 46 years.
- The plant processed 14.3 million tons of waste since 1979.
- A new facility, funded by the ERDF, will start operations in August.
- The new plant will double electricity output from the same waste volume.
Closure of Stapelfeld Plant
EEW Energy from Waste Stapelfeld GmbH will permanently close its Stapelfeld waste combustion plant on July 31, 2025, after 46 years of operation. Since 1979, the facility has processed approximately 14.3 million tons of waste, providing secure waste management for Hamburg and southeastern Schleswig-Holstein.
Energy Contributions
Throughout its operation, the plant generated over 5.2 million megawatt-hours of electricity and 5.5 million megawatt-hours of district heating, significantly contributing to the energy supply for households and businesses. The facility offered an early alternative to landfilling, which was banned in 1993 and phased out in 2005.
Environmental Impact
Thermal combustion at the plant emitted around one ton of CO₂ per ton of waste, whereas methane from landfills has 30 times the climate impact. The plant's operation helped mitigate climate damage by utilizing waste energy and raw material potential.
New Facility
A new replacement facility, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), will begin operations in August. It will treat the same volume of waste with advanced combustion and control technologies, doubling electricity generation while maintaining district heating output.
Operational Achievements
Over 46 years, the plant's two combustion lines operated for more than 703,000 hours, with an average availability exceeding 87 percent. It produced around 40 million tons of high-pressure steam for electricity generation, district heating, and industrial processes, equating to the household waste of over two million people.
