Phase-out of coal at HKW West in Frankfurt
The new plant at HKW West is scheduled to begin regular operation during the 2026 heating season, replacing the existing coal-fired power generation. To this end, Mainova AG is retrofitting Frankfurt’s largest combined heat and power plant. At the historic site in the Gutleutviertel neighborhood, two new gas turbines with waste heat steam generators will replace the two existing coal-fired units, which can then be dismantled.
The gas turbines, which will initially run on natural gas, will simultaneously produce heat and electricity using the combined heat and power (CHP) principle. Each unit has a thermal output of 105 megawatts and an electrical output of 62 megawatts. Mainova reports a fuel utilization rate of up to 91 percent.
The plants are designed for future use of hydrogen. Eventually, the power plant is to be supplied with hydrogen via the Rh2ein-Main Connect regional hydrogen network. This transition is contingent upon the availability of hydrogen and the corresponding grid connection.