Jan 07, 2008 | Amsterdam Euro-commissioner Piebalgs visits Nuon power plant
European Commissioner for Energy Andris Piebalgs today visited Nuon’s coal gasification power plant at Buggenum, in the Dutch province of Limburg. He spoke there with Øystein Løseth, member of the Management Board of Nuon. "I support Nuon’s approach of using clean coal technology in combination with biomass and CO2 capture," said Piebalgs.
Andris Piebalgs was invited by Nuon and by Europarliamentarian Lambert van Nistelrooij (CDA) to visit the Nuon power plant. He gained information about coal gasification technology and was given a guided tour of the plant. The technique of coal gasification is unique; apart from Buggenum there is only one power plant in Europe that uses the same technology. The benefits of this technique are the low level of emissions in comparison with ordinary coal-fired power plants and the potential to capture CO2 prior to electricity production.
European framework for CO2 capture
The technology of CO2 capture in coal gasification is to be tested at Buggenum so that it can be used later in Nuon’s forthcoming power plant in Groningen. "CO2 capture technology is of vital importance to our energy supply and our economy’, says Europarliamentarian Lambert van Nistelrooij, ‘and therefore deserves all possible support from Europe."
"Nuon’s power plant in Buggenum shows that a combination of solutions is needed in the battle against climate change," says Euro-commissioner Andris Piebalgs. "I support Nuon’s approach of using clean coal technology in combination with biomass and CO2 capture. Later this month the European Commission will put forward an ambitious package of measures that sets out, among other things, an essential framework for CO2 capture and storage."
Nuon is pleased with the interest and moral support from the EU. "We feel that this visit supports our plans for coal gasification and CO2 capture," adds Øystein Løseth of Nuon. "Through energy saving, renewable energy and clean fossil fuels we can safeguard both our sustainability strategy and the security of supply. We look forward to the European Commission’s framework and to collaborating with Europe."
About Nuon
Nuon is an ambitious energy company with more than 10,000 employees serving 2.6 million customers in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany with electricity, gas, heating and related services. Nuon produces, transports and delivers electricity, gas, heating and cooling and trades in energy on the major international markets. Nuon also offers auxiliary services and innovative technology to companies and consumers; its aim is to secure a reliable, sustainable and affordable energy supply. Nuon pursues balanced growth for all stakeholders: shareholders, employees, customers, the environment and society. With a turnover in 2006 of EUR 5.6 billion, Nuon has a leading position on the Dutch energy market. Its shares are owned by local and regional authorities.