Marzahn CHP, Germany: Driving Berlin district heating toward climate neutrality

The Marzahn CHP plant (German: Heizkraftwerk Marzahn, HKW Marzahn) is a cornerstone of Berlin’s decarbonization of power and heat supply. Commissioned in 2020 and operated by BEW Berliner Energie und Wärme (formerly Vattenfall Wärme Berlin AG), this project is a prime example of a successful repowering project at a historic energy site. The highly efficient gas-fired plant supports the city’s goal to cut CO₂ emissions by 50% compared to 1990 levels, delivering low-carbon electricity to one million people and district heating to 150,000 households in Berlin.

As Berlin works to decarbonize its centralized district heating system, plants must phase out carbon-intensive infrastructure without disrupting the reliable supply of heat across the city. For the Marzahn district heating plant, the challenge is maintaining grid stability while reducing emissions. This requires flexible operation and efficient cogeneration of heat and power to ensure stable, lower-emission supply.

The CHP plant utilizes advanced combined-cycle technology featuring a Siemens Energy SGT5-2000E gas turbine, manufactured locally in Berlin Moabit, an SST-800 steam turbine, and a heat recovery system. By capturing waste heat for district heating, the plant achieves a fuel efficiency of over 90%.