MVV energy group in Uherské Hradiště is withdrawing from coal, which will be replaced by natural gas and non-recyclable waste

The conversion of waste into heat and electricity will take place in a waste-to-energy facility (WtE). The heating plant will switch to natural gas in the autumn of 2024. WtE construction will begin in 2027 and be completed two years later.

"I was glad to raise my hand for this variant. This is clearly the best solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to ensure that heat and electricity production is largely independent of gas prices and supplies. It is the result of good and long-term cooperation with the city, which I greatly appreciate," comments Jörg Lüdorf, Chairman of the Board of MVV Energie CZ.

This year, the MVV group shortened the deadline for completing the decarbonisation process in all its energy facilities in the Czech Republic to 2028. Coal in MVV heating plants is gradually being replaced by other sources and technologies. Among these is Waste to Energy. The reference project of the MVV group is TERMIZO in Liberec, which annually uses 96,000 tons of waste for heat and electricity production. The MVV group has also prepared WtE projects for smaller cities and municipalities.

So far, the project in Vsetín has gone the furthest, where a WtE facility construction plan with an annual capacity of 12,000 tonnes of municipal waste gained a approval statement on EIA documentation assessing the environmental impact of this plan. However, at the request of the city of Vsetín, the subsidiary Zásobování teplem Vsetín a.s. stopped this WtE construction project.

The planned WtE in Uherské Hradiště will be smaller in comparison with the facility in Liberec. The technology in the Mařatice district works with an annual capacity of 15,000 tons of non-recyclable waste without the possibility of further utilization. The equipment for waste to energy will be supplemented by three gas boilers and a new cogeneration unit for natural gas.

The total planned investment in the modernization of the heating plant is CZK 285 million without subsidies from the Modernization Fund, which will be applied for by CTZ. If it obtains a subsidy for the WtE construction, which is one of the priority projects supported by the fund, the total investment will be reduced by at least 85 million crowns (with a subsidy of 40% of the investment, while the maximum achievable subsidy is 60%). Subsidies for the construction of gas boilers could also reduce the overall costs.

„After the aforementioned WtE facility in Liberec, the geothermal source in Děčín, and several efficient and environmentally friendly cogeneration units, this is another important step towards carbon neutrality. We are also moving towards this through large-scale investment projects in distribution systems, as well as the implementation of EPC projects that significantly reduce the energy demands of buildings. This is reflected in cost savings for owners and the production of greenhouse gases," adds Jörg Lüdorf.

More at www.ctz.mvv.cz