Orsted Completes Shift to Fossil-Free Energy with Coal Plant Closures

Denmark’s Orsted will shut down its last coal-fired power units this week, marking a milestone in its transition to fossil-free energy generation. The company will close its Esbjerg and Studstrup plants, aiming for a 99% green energy share by 2025. The move follows a temporary government order during the energy crisis.

Denmark's Orsted will shut down its last coal-fired power units this week, it announced on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in its transition to fossil-free energy generation. The company, formerly known as DONG Energy, has been a pioneer in offshore wind energy and rebranded itself as a 'renewable major' after selling its oil and gas business in 2017.

Orsted will close its coal-fired power plant in Esbjerg and another coal-fired unit at its Studstrup plant on Saturday. This closure is the final major step towards meeting its target of achieving a 99% green share of energy generation by 2025. 'With the closure of the heat and power plant, we're well on track to becoming the first major energy company to transform its energy production completely from fossil fuels to renewable energy,' said Ole Thomsen, Orsted's head of bioenergy.

Once one of Europe's most coal-dependent energy companies, Orsted's heat and power production in 2008 was 85% reliant on fossil fuels. Initially, Orsted had planned to eliminate coal burning entirely by March 2023, but the Danish government ordered the state-controlled company to continue operations at the Esbjerg plant and other units during the energy crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The government order expires on Saturday.

(With inputs from agencies.)