Veolia Environnement entered the final stage of the transformation of its Karviná heating plant, with the objective of achieving a full coal exit by 2029, while serving approximately 50,000 households. Building on a successful first phase that already reduced coal consumption by nearly a quarter, the project now focuses on deploying a multi-energy cogeneration model designed to combine performance, flexibility and sustainability. 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. 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.

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.