Numerous RWE sites have also been affected by the severe floods. Throughout the company, intensive works are underway to avert further dangers and limit damage. The safety of all emergency services is the top priority.
Rhenish lignite mining area: Inden/Weisweiler site heavily hit
The situation in the Garzweiler and Hambach open-cast mines is currently stable and operations are not affected. The large power plant sites at Niederaußem and Neurath can continue to produce power. The Inden open-cast mine and the connected Weisweiler power station, on the other hand, are massively affected. On Thursday morning, the waters of the river Inde had flooded a dam near the village of Lamersdorf and subsequently entered the open-cast mine.
In the meantime, the situation has been stabilised due to falling water levels and extensive safety measures. The Weisweiler power station is running at reduced capacity. The 300 MW units are currently supplied by the coal reserves, the 600 MW units stand still. The open-cast mine is to be put back into operation according to a step-by-step concept. The aim is for mining operations to restart until the end of next week. How long it will take to fully restore operations of the open-cast mine and the Weisweiler power station is currently being evaluated.
Many hydro power stations out of operation / peak of the Maas flood wave passed
The RWE run-of-river power stations operated in the Eifel region and on the Mosel, Saar and Ruhr rivers are also struggling with the consequences of the floods. With the exception of the Baldeney and Unkelmühle plants, all are currently out of operation. This also applies to the hydro power station in Linne (Netherlands). Water is currently being pumped and securing and clean-up work is being carried out with the aim of bringing the stations back online as soon as possible.
At the Claus gas-fired power station near Maasbracht (Netherlands), the flood wave of the Maas river reached its peak in the late evening of 16 July. The water levels are currently decreasing. So far, the dikes have withstood the flood; the power station has been able to continue operations.
After an initial evaluation, the damage for RWE amounts to a total of up to a mid-double-digit million euro sum.
RWE will support relief operations
The battle against the flood damage continues. The top priority is to save human lives. Parallel to this, many relief operations are already underway. To help the people directly affected, RWE is donating 1 million euros as part of an emergency programme. The amount is to be used to support aid organisations and regional initiatives. Markus Krebber, CEO of RWE AG, says: "The pictures of the flood disaster are a terrible sight. We feel for those affected – amongst them are many of our employees. At the same time, we see an abundant and an extraordinary commitment to help people in need and to get the situation under control. We as a company will also support quickly and unbureaucratically."