Veolia to exit coal at Karviná by 2029 with multi‑energy plant
- Veolia will fully exit coal at the Karviná plant by 2029, decommissioning the last four coal boilers during Phase II (2025-2029).
- The plant will adopt a multi-energy cogeneration mix: ~53.19% refuse-derived fuel (RDF), plus biomass and natural gas, with a multi-fuel solid-fuel boiler, a new steam turbine and additional gas cogeneration units.
- Serving about 50,000 households, the project reduces CO2 by ~200,000 t versus pre-decarbonization (Phase II) after Phase I already cut ~75,000 t CO2; NOx and SO2 emissions fell 53% and 72% respectively.
Project overview
The Karviná heating plant will stop using coal by 2029, with Phase II (2025–2029) decommissioning the remaining four coal boilers and replacing them with a multi‑fuel boiler, a new steam turbine and additional gas cogeneration units; the network serves about 50,000 households in Karviná and Havířov.
Energy mix and infrastructure
The redesigned plant will operate as a multi‑energy cogeneration facility combining ~53.19% refuse‑derived fuel (RDF) from locally sorted municipal waste, biomass and natural gas, increasing overall efficiency by producing heat and electricity from the same fuel streams.
Emissions and air quality
Phase I reduced coal use by ~25% and cut annual CO2 by about 75,000 tonnes (≈30%), NOx by 53% and SO2 by 72%; Phase II is expected to lower CO2 emissions by a further ~200,000 tonnes versus pre‑decarbonization levels, with corresponding improvements in local air quality.
Local circular economy and energy autonomy
Converting non‑recyclable waste to heat and power supports the local circular economy by reducing landfill methane, substituting imported fossil fuels with local resources, and strengthening price stability and resilience for the district heating network.
Source: Veolia