Preparations for the Start of Power Plant Conversion Construction at Koehler Paper Greiz Location
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Koehler Paper, a Koehler Group company, is converting the power plant at its production location in Greiz from pulverized lignite to fine wood fraction fuel. The experts at Koehler Renewable Energy, which is also part of the Koehler Group, have succeeded in developing an innovative technique that makes it possible for a type of biomass to be used as fuel in the existing coal-fired power plant in a completely new way. The converted plant is scheduled to be commissioned at the end of 2022, and preparation steps for the start of construction in Greiz have already been taken.
The conversion project is part of Koehler’s sustainability strategy, as the Group has set a goal of producing more energy from renewable sources by 2030 than is required for its paper production operations. Udo Hollbach, CEO of the Koehler Paper site in Greiz, is delighted about the conversion: “Switching from lignite to fine wood fraction will allow us to save more than 24,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year at the Greiz plant.” With an investment of 6.5 million euros in this power plant conversion, the company is once again highlighting the fact that its focus on sustainability does not begin and end with sustainable products. “We’re very happy to be able to kick off the construction phase with the corresponding preliminary work,” Hollbach continues.
Construction steps and planned completion
Structural and engineering measures need to be taken and extra silos purchased so the new fuel can be used in the existing heat and power plant. The preparation work, such as setting up the work site and building the site road for the planned construction, is currently proceeding full speed ahead at the Koehler Paper Greiz location. One of the next steps is a slope removal stage that will include the corresponding rock removal and make it possible to start the actual construction work. The plan is to complete the structural changes at the plant by the end of the year.
