Hanwha Energy Corp. is poised to convert its combined heat and power (CHP) plant in Gunsan, South Korea, from coal to biomass. This transition is designed to lower carbon emissions and respond to the increasing demand for sustainable energy, according to Maeil Business Newspaper.
The Hanwha Group subsidiary has recently received approval from the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy to proceed with the change. The plan involves converting 55% of the plant’s 222-megawatt (MW) capacity to biomass, replacing the coal that currently powers the steam turbines generating 123 MW.
Hanwha Energy intends to use various biomass fuels, including wood pellets, wood chips, and dried sewage sludge. These materials are processed from by-products of logging and wastewater treatment.
Currently, the Gunsan plant operates a circulating fluidized bed combustion (CFBC) boiler that primarily uses coal to produce steam and gas for power generation. To facilitate the transition, Hanwha Energy will invest approximately 100 billion won ($75 million) to retrofit the boiler and develop the necessary infrastructure for biomass fuel handling.
The company plans to commence full-scale biomass power generation by the fourth quarter of 2026.
