A New Benchmark in Industrial Heat Supply: InfraLeuna's 35-MW Electrode Boiler Officially Put Into Operation

With today’s official commissioning of the 35-megawatt electrode boiler, the Power-to-Heat (PtH) project at the Leuna chemical site – the only one of its kind in Europe – has been successfully completed. Together with the transmission system operator 50Hertz Transmission GmbH, InfraLeuna GmbH officially inaugurated the facility in the presence of Dr. Jürgen Ude, State Secretary for Structural Change and Major Industrial Projects at the State Chancellery of Saxony-Anhalt – who was standing in for Minister of Economic Affairs Sven Schulze, who was unable to attend at the last minute – as well as representatives from regional politics and the participating partner companies.

In terms of size, dynamics, and pressure level, InfraLeuna’s electrode boiler sets new standards for plants of this type in Europe. With a capacity of 35 megawatts, it converts electrical energy into process steam, particularly when high proportions of renewable energy are available in the power grid. In doing so, the electrode boiler plant achieves steam parameters of 47 bar(g) and 320 °C – unprecedented for this type of boiler.

One advantage of this technology is the reduction in CO₂ emissions. Since large amounts of thermal energy are required at the Leuna chemical site, the use of the electrode boiler can result in significant CO₂ savings compared to conventional gas-fired steam generation. Based on the underlying operating assumptions, the potential savings amount to up to 52,000 metric tons of CO₂ per year. The electrode boiler thus becomes a key component of an efficient and climate-friendly energy supply for the companies located there.

InfraLeuna's power plants can be scaled back whenever the boiler draws electricity and converts it into thermal energy. This allows for a reduction in natural gas consumption.

Dr. Jürgen Ude, State Secretary for Structural Change and Major Industrial Projects in the State Chancellery of Saxony-Anhalt: “As the state of Saxony-Anhalt, we can be proud that today, here in Leuna, the first electrode boiler in Europe operating at this pressure level is being commissioned. This is a strong sign of Saxony-Anhalt’s strength as a business location.

Leuna, more than almost any other place, symbolizes our state’s industrial strength. Today, it is evident once again: Saxony-Anhalt is a state where the future is being shaped.

With this facility – unique in Europe – we are combining industrial development with climate protection. We are harnessing the opportunities of renewable energy, reducing CO₂ emissions, and at the same time creating the conditions for a reliable and competitive heat supply.

Because one thing is clear to me: Good climate policy must go hand in hand with good economic policy. It must ensure that companies invest here, that jobs remain in our home state, and that our industry remains internationally competitive tomorrow as well. As a state, we remain fully committed to this goal.”

The project has undergone an intensive implementation phase in collaboration with the contracted general contractor, ETABO Energietechnik und Anlagenservice GmbH: From the project’s launch in October 2024, through the spectacular hoisting of the boiler at the end of 2025 – a major milestone in the assembly process – to today’s successful commissioning, the plant was completed on schedule. “It was one of the smoothest commissioning processes I’ve ever had the privilege of overseeing,” emphasizes Jan Friedemann, project manager at InfraLeuna.  

The electrode boiler is fully integrated into the existing energy infrastructure and supplies companies at the chemical site with up to 45 metric tons of steam per hour. The plant can adjust its output very flexibly to meet energy demand. Technically, changes of up to 11 megawatts per minute are possible; however, during operation, the output is limited to a maximum of 7 megawatts per minute so that the connected steam networks can easily compensate for the changes.

InfraLeuna GmbH and the grid operator 50Hertz Transmission GmbH are thus jointly implementing the first large-scale power-to-heat plant at this pressure level at a chemical park in Europe.

Stefan Kapferer, CEO of 50Hertz: “Power-to-heat plants based on the principle of ‘utilizing rather than curtailing’ can have two effects: If the plants are used in our system management’s so-called congestion management process, they can help alleviate bottlenecks in the power grid. At the same time, the plants improve the integration of regional renewable energy generation. The additional electricity consumption in the power-to-heat plant, combined with reduced electricity and heat production at the power plant, effectively relieves the strain on the power grid in two ways. Central Germany offers favorable conditions for the industrial application of this plant concept, as the region has a high volume of wind power and, increasingly, large-scale ground-mounted solar plants.

In principle, however, the expansion of the power transmission grids is and will remain the most important measure for managing grid bottlenecks in the future. In addition, other tools can also make efficient contributions, such as, for example, a PtH plant here at this industrial site.”

InfraLeuna Managing Director Dr. Christof Günther emphasizes the strategic importance of the project: “The energy system at the Leuna chemical site, which is exemplary in terms of efficiency and flexibility, will reach a new, previously unattainable level of flexibility with the commissioning of our 35-megawatt electrode boiler. Especially given the current situation in the chemical industry, this power-to-heat project helps us save natural gas, make good use of excess electricity, and reliably secure the site’s steam supply.

Given the current very challenging circumstances, we are making every effort to consistently further develop the energy infrastructure in Leuna and to provide companies with reliable and sustainable solutions.”

The project underscores the leading position of the Leuna chemical hub in the field of advanced energy concepts. Thanks to its high-performance infrastructure, technological expertise, and strong partnerships, the site offers ideal conditions for implementing innovative energy solutions and securing jobs.
With the new power-to-heat capacities, the integration of electricity and heat supply will be further expanded, and companies’ resilience to fluctuating energy markets will be strengthened.