Post-operational site recycling

The circular economy and site management

The infrastructure required to generate energy and to distribute energy and water has a long useful life – and is, naturally, tied to a particular location. We continue to use this infrastructure with the help of maintenance and replacement investments or, in most cases, there is no alternative to its further use, especially for pipelines and transformer stations.

In agreement with the principles of the circular economy, we are committed to “reuse before recycling” in using the equipment and components required for our various business activities. This also underscores the entrepreneurial approach anchored in our corporate values, which gives equal treatment to economic and ecological aspects. Equipment and components that can no longer be used for technical or practical reasons are salvaged as best as possible or recycled. 

Concrete foundations that cannot be used in replacement investments are always removed to permit the recovery and renewed use of the underlying land. Old concrete is transported to construction material recycling firms and reused.

Component parts of our power plants, equipment and networks that are no longer technically functional are properly separated, salvaged as best as possible and transported, where possible, to construction material and metal recycling firms.

In the extremely rare case that a plant can no longer be used, we develop suitable dismantling concepts in agreement with the above goals. Our central goals are to protect the ground water and prevent decontamination and, in so doing, permit the ecological restoration of the land for agriculture or construction. 

1. The revitalisation and sustainable use of former locations

Technological progress and transformation have from time to time led to changes in the business activities of EVN or its predecessor companies during our 100-year corporate history. In a few cases, this has resulted in the decommissioning of locations or the need to rehabilitate former operating sites. 

We are committed to our responsibility in this respect and, in agreement with legal requirements, work to correctly remove contamination, prevent environmental impact or minimise this impact as best as possible, and to achieve a high recycling rate. The central goals are to protect the ground water and prevent decontamination and, in so doing, permit the ecological restoration of the land for agriculture or construction. This site restoration always takes place in close cooperation with the responsible authorities. 

In agreement with these principles, we successfully restored the former locations of three natural gas plants in recent years. One former location, which was used to impregnate wooden masts in the 1940s and 1950s, was reconditioned during 2021/22. A current project covers the restoration of a power plant site that was contaminated from its use by previous owners during the first half of the 20^th Century. Another EVN initiative involves the dismantling of a thermal power plant which was decommissioned in 1987. Plans include the removal of all dangerous substances and the creation of a meadow area. After the transformation is completed, we will evaluate concepts to reuse the site for renewable energies. 

EVN has not identified any new cases of contamination at decommissioned sites in recent years. In the event of accidents that endanger ground or water, we immediately take all necessary steps to limit the environmental impact as best as possible or to correctly remove the hazards. These actions also take place in close cooperation with the responsible authorities.

In cases where power plants are decommissioned, we always evaluate alternative uses. For example: We are continuing to use and will expand Dürnrohr as an energy location – also after the decommissioning of our hard coal-fired plant in 2019. A sewage sludge utilisation plant and a large-scale photovoltaic plant are in the planning stage. The available infrastructure and previously sealed ground areas provide the perfect foundation.