The 2024 sustainability report from German operator EEW provides a comprehensive overview of operational performance and environmental outcomes across its thermal waste treatment facilities. The data covers input and output streams, energy balances, emissions, and resource management, offering relevant insights for professionals in the waste management sector.
Key Takeaways
- The EEW Sustainability Report 2024 highlights performance metrics and environmental outcomes from EEW’s thermal waste treatment facilities.
- EEW aims for 92 per cent operational availability by 2030, with a slight increase from 91.1 per cent in 2023 to 91.4 per cent in 2024.
- Energy utilisation rates fluctuate; electricity sales decreased from 2,017,535 MWh in 2023 to 1,937,110 MWh in 2024.
- EEW targets a 20 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, with a decrease noted from 2,079,887 tonnes in 2023 to 2,061,207 tonnes in 2024.
- The recycling rate for residual materials was only 8.8% per cent in 2024, falling short of the 70 per cent target for 2030.
Operational Availability and Waste Input
EEW has set a strategic target to achieve a minimum time availability of 92 per cent for all thermal treatment plants by 2030. In 2023, the reported time availability was 91.1 per cent, rising slightly to 91.4 per cent in 2024, , according to the sustainability report.
The volume of waste accepted for thermal treatment has shown a steady increase, with 4,700,149 tonnes processed in 2022, 4,979,568 tonnes in 2023, and 5,070,885 tonnes in 2024.
Energy Utilisation and Consumption
A key strategic objective is to increase energy utilisation by an average of 15 per cent by 2030, using 2021 as the baseline. The energy utilisation rate decreased by 1.8 per cent in 2023 but improved by 0.9 per cent in 2024.
Total electricity consumption fluctuated, with 29,445 MWh in 2022, 24,354 MWh in 2023, and 40,004 MWh in 2024. Heating oil consumption rose from 65,815 MWh in 2022 to 83,545 MWh in 2023, then fell to 77,354 MWh in 2024. Gas consumption remained relatively stable, with 130,936 MWh in 2022, 135,234 MWh in 2023, and 134,735 MWh in 2024.
Energy Output and Sales
Electricity sales increased from 1,835,619 MWh in 2022 to 2,017,535 MWh in 2023, followed by a reduction to 1,937,110 MWh in 2024. Heat sales were 956,428 MWh in 2022, dipped to 916,906 MWh in 2023, and rose again to 968,146 MWh in 2024. Steam sales followed a similar pattern, with 3,303,828 MWh in 2022, 3,024,382 MWh in 2023, and 3,344,963 MWh in 2024.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Targets
EEW aims to reduce total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 20 per cent by 2030, using 2022 as the reference year (2,003,546 tonnes CO2 equivalent). In 2023, total GHG emissions were 2,079,887 tonnes CO2 equivalent, decreasing to 2,061,207 tonnes CO2 equivalent in 2024. Direct emissions (Scope 1) increased from 1,895,456 tonnes CO2 equivalent in 2022 to 1,971,899 tonnes CO2 equivalent in 2023, then declined to 1,942,773 tonnes CO2 equivalent in 2024. Indirect emissions (Scope 2) were 12,367 tonnes CO2 equivalent in 2022, 10,570 tonnes CO2 equivalent in 2023, and 14,521 tonnes CO2 equivalent in 2024. Other emissions (Scope 3) rose from 95,724 tonnes CO2 equivalent in 2022 to 103,913 tonnes CO2 equivalent in 2024.
The intensity of GHG emissions per tonne of waste input was 0.435 tonnes CO2 equivalent in 2022, 0.428 tonnes CO2 equivalent in 2023, and 0.430 tonnes CO2 equivalent in 2024.
Resource Recovery and Residual Waste
EEW has established a target to achieve a recycling rate of at least 70 per cent for residual materials by 2030. The recycling rate was 9.8 per cent in 2023 and 8.8 per cent in 2024. The total amount of waste generated was 1,471,378 tonnes in 2022, 1,518,543 tonnes in 2023, and 1,495,846 tonnes in 2024.
Hazardous waste accounted for 255,968 tonnes in 2022, 269,127 tonnes in 2023, and 254,154 tonnes in 2024. Non-hazardous waste volumes were 1,215,409 tonnes in 2022, 1,249,416 tonnes in 2023, and 1,241,692 tonnes in 2024.
Waste Diversion and Disposal
Waste diverted from disposal totalled 361,969 tonnes in 2022, 389,679 tonnes in 2023, and 350,488 tonnes in 2024. Waste sent for disposal was 1,239,487 tonnes in 2022, 1,128,864 tonnes in 2023, and 1,145,357 tonnes in 2024.
Air Emissions and Environmental Performance
Emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) decreased from 103.04 mg/Nm³ in 2022 to 97.14 mg/Nm³ in 2024. Sulphur dioxide (SOx) emissions were reduced from 10.82 mg/Nm³ in 2022 to 8.86 mg/Nm³ in 2024. Total dust emissions also declined, from 0.46 mg/Nm³ in 2022 to 0.30 mg/Nm³ in 2024.
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