Model Power Plant for Frankfurt: Phasing Out Coal at HKW West
Frankfurt am Main plans to phase out coal as early as 2026. To achieve this, Mainova AG is converting Frankfurt’s largest combined heat and power plant, HKW West, laying the foundation for an even more efficient and climate-friendly supply of heat and electricity to the city. At the historic site in the Gutleut district, two new gas turbines with heat recovery steam generators will replace the two existing coal-fired units, which can then be dismantled.
The hydrogen-ready gas turbines will simultaneously generate heat and electricity based on the principle of combined heat and power. Each unit will have a thermal output of 105 megawatts and an electrical output of 62 megawatts. With a fuel utilization rate of around 90 percent, the new plant will operate with high efficiency. In the future, the model power plant is expected to be supplied with climate-neutral hydrogen via the Rh2ein-Main Connect regional hydrogen network.