Leag power plants are not all running at full load
At the onset of winter, the power plant units in Lusatia are not running at full capacity due to disruptions at the Jänschwalde and Boxberg sites. According to the operator Leag, a "minor fault" was detected in a boiler at the Jänschwalde lignite-fired power plant. This means that the units are currently running at a total output of 2750 megawatts instead of 3000 megawatts. A Leag spokeswoman was unable to say on Tuesday when the fault would be rectified. The Boxberg power plant is also running at 170 megawatts less - the total output there is 3520 megawatts. The Schwarze Pumpe and Lippendorf power plants, on the other hand, are currently running at full load, according to the operator.
"We realize that the market needs us right now," said the Leag spokeswoman. The grid operator 50Hertz is responsible for security of supply. It operates the electricity transmission grid in northern and eastern Germany and manages demand.
Due to the energy crisis, two units of the Jänschwalde lignite-fired power plant that were on standby were restarted in October last year. They are part of the supply reserve in accordance with the Substitute Power Plant Standby Act (EKBG). On this basis, both units will produce electricity for the market again by March 31, 2024 at the latest. The Jänschwalde power plant is to be completely decommissioned at the end of 2028.
Given the current situation at the Jänschwalde lignite-fired power plant, replacement coal is being considered to maintain its output. Despite the "minor fault" leading to a decrease in capacity, the plant still relies on coal as a primary energy source.
Source: www.dpa.com
