Veolia Drives the Czech Coal Exit with a Multi-Energy Transformation in Karviná
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Veolia is transforming the Karvina plant into a multi-energy plant, eliminating coal use by 2029, while serving approximately 50,000 households - Based on local and circular energy sources, the new system will significantly reduce annual CO2 emissions by 200,000 tonnes while ensuring long-term price stability and air quality improvements for the Karviná and Havířov regions
- This landmark project serves as a cornerstone of Veolia’s broader “New Urban Energy” development effort, aiming to position the Group as the European leader in district heating and achieve a full coal exit across the continent by 2030
At the heart of this transformation is the shift towards a diversified energy mix, combining locally sourced refuse-derived fuel (RDF), biomass and natural gas. This hybrid configuration enables the plant to adapt to evolving energy needs while significantly lowering its carbon footprint.
This landmark project serves as a cornerstone of Veolia’s broader New Urban Energy development effort, which aims to position the Group as the European leader in district heating and achieve a full coal exit across the continent by 2030. This ambition leverages the continued growth of Veolia’s urban heating strongholds while integrating the new 'Ecothermal Grid' offer, which extends its decarbonization expertise to smaller-sized local networks.
“As part of our GreenUp strategic programme,
A Multi-Energy Model Based on Local and Circular Resources
The future Karvina plant will rely on a balanced and flexible energy mix with 53.19% RDF, primarily produced from locally sorted municipal waste with biomass content.
By converting non-recyclable waste into heat and electricity, the plant becomes a key component of the local circular economy. This approach delivers a double environmental benefit:
- Reducing methane emissions from landfills,
- Replacing fossil fuels with alternative, locally available resources.
The development of cogeneration capacities further enhances overall efficiency by producing both heat and electricity from the same energy sources, optimizing resource use and limiting losses.
This model strengthens local energy autonomy, reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels and contributes to greater price stability for households.
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Beyond the global climate impact, the modernization of the Karviná plant delivers immediate, tangible benefits to the citizens of Karviná and Havířov. The shift to cleaner technologies means a substantial improvement in local air quality.
Phase I alone has already delivered a 30% reduction in annual CO₂ emissions (approximately 75,000 tonnes), a 53% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions, and a 72% reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions.
Phase II (2025-2029) will decommission the remaining four coal-fired boilers. They will be replaced with a multi-fuel boiler for solid alternative fuels and biomass, a new steam turbine, and additional gas cogeneration sources. This phase will reduce CO₂ emissions by 200,000 tonnes compared to pre-decarbonization levels, equivalent to removing approximately 47,000 passenger cars from the road for one year.
A Replicable Model for European Cities
Serving approximately 50,000 households in Karviná and Havířov, the plant is becoming a reference model for the decarbonization of district heating networks in Central and
By combining multi-energy flexibility, local resource valorization and high-efficiency cogeneration, the Karviná project demonstrates how existing infrastructure can be transformed into low-carbon, resilient energy hubs.
It represents one of the most complex decarbonization projects in the
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