Friday 18 March 2022

Vattenfall’s new biofuel heat plant warms up Swedish homes

A new SEK3.5 billion (£0.28bn) biofuel heat plant has been inaugurated and taken into operation by Vattenfall in Uppsala, Sweden.

The Carpe Futurum facility will halve the climate footprint for around 170,000 residents in Uppsala who have been connected to the district heating grid in the city.

The 100MW plant, which can be fired with wood chips, recycled biomass and bark in various combinations, is expected to reduce around 200,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year, compared with when peat and other fossil fuels were used.

Ulrika Jardfelt, Head of Vattenfall Business Area Heat said: “Carpe Futurum is a milestone in Vattenfall's work to phase out fossil fuels in its Swedish heat operation by 2025 and to reach net zero emissions within the entire company by 2040. The new facility is a major step to replace peat with new fossil-free heat production that is based entirely on renewable and recycled fuels.”

The plant, which started construction in 2018, also supports the city's climate goals.

Erik Pelling, Mayor of Uppsala added: “Uppsala welcomes Vattenfall's new heating plant that is completely in line with Uppsala's climate protocol and the city's goal of being fossil-free by 2030.

“We look forward to continued initiatives that can reduce carbon dioxide emissions and contribute to Uppsala becoming climate-positive by 2050.”