RWE commissions 2,200 MW lignite-fired power plant in Germany

RWE has commissioned its BoA 2&3 power plant in Neurath (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany). The €2.6bn plant consists of two lignite-fired units, with a total capacity of 2,200 MW. The plant uses state-of-the-art technology and is one of the world's most advanced lignite-fired power station, with a rated efficiency of 43% and high flexibility. Each unit can modify its output by 500 MW in just 15 minutes; with a total capacity of 1,000 MW at its disposal, it produces more than 400 wind turbines can, and at a speed that rivals the very latest gas-fired power plants. With regard to carbon emissions, BoA 2&3 produces six million tons less than older plants, while still producing the same volume of power. Some of the older 150 MW plants have already been decommissioned or will be shut down for good by the end of 2012. BoA 2&3 is capable of producing around 16 TWh/year, that is enough to meet the needs of over 3.4 million households.