• Ørsted is shutting down its last coal-fired power plant, marking a major milestone in its green energy transformation.
• The closure reduces annual CO₂ emissions by 1.2 million tonnes, equivalent to removing 600,000 fossil-fueled cars from the road.
• Ørsted is on track to achieve a 99% green energy share by 2025, advancing its industry-leading net-zero targets.

Ørsted Completes Its Coal Phase-Ou

On August 31, 2024, Ørsted will shut down its last coal-fired combined heat and power plant, Esbjerg Power Station, in Western Denmark. This marks a significant milestone in Ørsted’s journey towards becoming a fully renewable energy company.

A Decade-Long Transformation

Ørsted, once one of Europe’s most coal-intensive energy companies, has been transitioning away from fossil fuels since 2006. Through closing down coal plants and switching to certified sustainable biomass, the company has significantly reduced its carbon footprint. Senior Vice President Ole Thomsen commented, “Shutting down the last of our coal-fired heat and power plants marks the end of a chapter in our green transformation.” He emphasized the importance of moving away from fossil fuels, stating, “We believe that we, as a society, must phase out the use of gas, oil, and coal as soon as possible.“

Impact and Future Steps

The closure of Esbjerg Power Station will eliminate approximately 500,000 tonnes of coal consumption annually, cutting down CO₂ emissions by about 1.2 million tonnes. This is equivalent to the annual emissions of around 600,000 fossil-fueled cars in the EU. Ørsted has already achieved a 92% reduction in scope 1-2 emissions from 2006 to 2023 and aims for a 99% green energy share by 2025. With the shutdown of Esbjerg, Ørsted is well on its way to meeting its science-based targets of reducing emissions intensity by 98% by 2025.

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Looking ahead, Ørsted plans to rely more on wind and solar farms to power its operations. The company is also working with local partners to ensure a smooth transition for district heating in Esbjerg.

Final Steps in Denmark’s Coal Exit

In addition to shutting down Esbjerg, Ørsted will also close unit 4 at Studstrup Power Station and unit 21 at Kyndby Peak Load Plant on August 31. While coal remains a reserve fuel at Studstrup until the end of 2024, Ørsted expects to replace it entirely with sustainable alternatives, moving one step closer to eliminating coal from its energy mix.