Europe’s energy transition is underway. We’re actively shaping it by helping progressively decarbonize the energy system while simultaneously ensuring a reliable energy supply.
Strategic plan
Commitment
- Contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation while providing a secure supply of steadily cleaner energy; partner with key stakeholders to evolve our businesses and value chains toward net zero
Targets
- Coal exit already by 2029 – 8 years earlier than planned (Disposal of Datteln 4 acc. to conditions from EU COM remedies assumed)
- By 2030 ≥ 55% carbon reduction for generation (Scope 1 & 2)
- By 2035 group wide carbon neutrality (Scope 1 & 2)
- Reduce our indirect (Scope 3) carbon emissions by 35% by 2035 (relative to 2021)
- By 2040 group-wide carbon neutrality (Referring to greenhouse gas scope 1-3 accounting rules)
- During 2023-2024, implementation of Leak detection and Repair (LDAR) campaign across Uniper operations to reduce methane emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions
79.6 %
decrease in direct (Scope 1) carbon emissions at Uniper companies since 2005.
Uniper Group companies in Europe have reduced their direct (Scope 1) carbon emissions by 75,9 million metric tons, or 79,6% since 2005.
19.4
million metric tons of direct (Scope 1) carbon emissions in 2023.
Uniper’s direct CO₂ emissions, from the combustion of fossil fuels for power and heat generation, totalled 19.4 million metric tons in 2023 (2022: 25.5 million metric tons, excluding Russian Power Generation). The decrease is mainly due to a reduction in output from some of Uniper’ s coal-fired power plants in Germany, United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
355.8
grams of CO2 per kWh.
In 2023, our carbon intensity reduced by 25% compared to the previous year.
100%
operational assets have maintained the standard for an environmental management system.
As of year-end 2023, 100% of the operational assets of Uniper’s fully consolidated subsidiaries had retained their ISO 14001 certifications.
Exiting coal swiftly and responsibly
About two thirds of our total electricity and heat output already comes from low-emission hydro, nuclear, and gas. We’re closing coal-fired power plants in Europe and beginning to build wind and solar farms. This will steadily reduce our carbon intensity.
Our coal-fired power plants have good locations and useful infrastructure, such as connections to the high-voltage grid, the rail system, and district-heating networks. We’ve therefore developed masterplans to ensure their viability — and safeguard as many jobs as possible—in a low-carbon world. For example, we’ll convert some to gas and repurpose others for hydrogen production. Scholven, a Uniper coal plant in west-central Germany, is already being converted to gas.
Gas: a key bridge technology
Uniper is one of Europe’s leading gas companies and procures gas from different producers – via pipeline and LNG. We supply large parts of German industry as well as cities and communities across Germany and Europe. It is our duty to make our contribution to securing energy supply, especially in such difficult times triggered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Due to the existing contracts with Russia or Russian companies, we bear a special responsibility not only for ourselves, but also for large parts of German industry and many people in Germany and across Europe. We’re working hard to maintain existing energy flows while finding ways to make gas supplies for Germany and Europe more diverse in the short, medium, and long term and thus less vulnerable to geopolitical risks.
Hydrogen strategy
We see hydrogen — alongside gas, renewables, and hydroelectricity — as an essential ingredient in tomorrow’s low-emission energy mix. It will be pivotal for decarbonizing major industries, such as steel and chemicals.
Our aim is to help establish Europe’s hydrogen economy. As part of this effort, we intend to make our decommissioned coal-fired power station in Wilhelmshaven a major hydrogen hub. Our estimates indicate that the hub could meet about 15% of Germany’s hydrogen needs by 2030. We’re developing similar hubs in the Netherlands and England. We’re also propelling the development of new hydrogen solutions by working with a variety of partners, such as Germany’s H2 Global Initiative.
Contact
Andreas Niehoff
Kathrin Becker
Anne Hem
