Claus Power plant

The electricity generation process at Claus C begins with the combustion of natural gas in the gas turbines. The hot combustion gases expand in the turbines, driving a generator that generates electricity. The heat from the three gas turbines is then utilized in three flue gas boilers (also called Heat Recovery Steam Generators), in which water is converted to steam. This steam sets the steam turbine in motion, which in turn drives the coupled generator to generate electricity from the residual heat of the gas turbines. This makes Unit C one of the most efficient power plants today. At the end of the process, the steam is cooled and condensed into water, which is then used again in the cycle.

Province Limburg, Maasgouw municipality and RWE jointly examine the future prospects for the Claus power plant site and its surroundings.

Energy transition

The energy landscape is changing. Electricity used to be produced with large power plants at a few dozen large locations in the Netherlands. Now wind farms, solar meadows and smaller power plants are appearing in more and more places in the Netherlands. Households and companies are putting solar panels on their roofs. From consumers, they also become producers of electricity. Electricity is stored in batteries for use later. Developments such as hydrogen are coming as a possible replacement for natural gas. Geothermal energy seems to become increasingly important for local heat networks. The energy transition affects us all. The central question here is how we will organize the future energy landscape. Part of that energy landscape is the site in Maasbracht where the Claus power station is located, and its surroundings.

Status of research into the future of the Claus power plant area

Commissioned by the Municipality of Maasgouw, the Province of Limburg and RWE, research has been carried out into the future prospects of the Claus power station and its immediate surroundings. This research took place in 2023. Work was then carried out to develop three distinctive draft future scenarios for the Claus power plant area. At the end of April 2024, the research report was delivered to the province, municipality and RWE as initiators of the research. This completed the research process (including participation) by the research firms.

Participation

Several participation sessions were held in 2023 and 2024. On the website of the Municipality of Maasgouw you will find (in Dutch) a feedback of these sessions. Here you will also find all other information such as the research report and information about the follow-up process. In addition to the Municipality of Maasgouw, Province of Limburg and RWE, TenneT and the Ministry of Economic Affairs are now also closely involved.