In future, residual heat from the thermal treatment of sewage sludge will flow into the town’s heating network. Sewage sludge is almost entirely biogenic; the thermal energy extracted from it enables a climate-friendly supply to households and public institutions.
Representatives from politics, local authorities and project partners gathered for the official opening ceremony. Among them were Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Environment Minister Dr Till Backhaus, Klaus Rißer, President of the Stavenhagen Town Council, Steffen Oriwol, Managing Director of Wärmeversorgung Stavenhagen GmbH, and Stefan Schmidt, Chief Financial Officer of the EEW Group.
“In Stavenhagen, we are demonstrating how the circular economy and municipal heat supply can be intelligently combined. A waste disposal process generates tangible added value for the region and its residents,” explains EEW CFO Stefan Schmidt.
Sustainable heat supply for the region
“The project combines modern circular economy principles with municipal heat supply and is a key building block for the regional heat transition,” explains Benjamin Scharfetter, Technical Managing Director of EEW Stavenhagen. “By efficiently utilising waste heat from the thermal treatment of sewage sludge, EEW, together with the municipal heating supply, is tapping into existing energy potential and helping to replace fossil fuels,” adds Birgit Fröhlig, Commercial Managing Director of EEW Stavenhagen.
Dr Till Backhaus, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Minister for Climate Protection, Agriculture, Rural Areas and the Environment, also emphasises the project’s significance for the supply of heat from waste materials in the state: “Renewable energy is most readily accepted where we make intelligent use of existing resources and people experience a benefit. Stavenhagen provides a compelling example of this. Sewage sludge from households and industry is used here as a source of raw materials for future phosphorus recycling and, at the same time, as a source of energy for the town’s heating supply. This is the circular economy in action: what we have to dispose of and treat is turned into new raw materials, energy and a direct benefit for residents.”
He continues: “I am very pleased that many local residents have now realised that building the plant was the right decision.”
Partnership as a key to success
Mayor Stefan Guzu particularly emphasises the regional benefits: “For Stavenhagen, this project is an important step towards a sustainable and independent heat supply. At the same time, we are strengthening the local area and creating stable long-term prospects for our residents.”
Steffen Oriwol, Managing Director of Wärmeversorgung Stavenhagen GmbH, adds: “Building the new district heating infrastructure was a challenging project that was only made possible through close cooperation between all those involved. We are therefore delighted that we can now supply our customers with climate-friendly heat.
We are already planning to expand our district heating network in Stavenhagen so that we can supply further buildings with climate-friendly heat in future.”
From the construction phase to regular operation
Significant technical milestones have been achieved in recent months. Among other things, the two heating condensers were successfully installed, the pump house was connected to the electricity supply, and the pipeline connections and automation technology were fully integrated. With the technical commissioning, the plant was gradually transitioned from the construction phase to regular operation.
The new district heating supply strengthens the sustainable infrastructure at the Stavenhagen site and supports the local authority’s climate protection targets.
Today’s inauguration marks a significant milestone for EEW, the town of Stavenhagen and its residents. Following Premnitz, Stavenhagen is the second successfully completed district heating project; in Großräschen, another project is already nearing implementation.