Our Business Fields
Lignite is the most important domestic energy resource. It contributes considerably to securing the electricity supply, as lignite is independent of imports, available round the clock and has stable price.
Mining
The opencast mines of Lausitz Energie Bergbau AG supply about 60 million tons of lignite per year. That is a good third of the total amount mined in the whole of Germany. In doing this, our goal is to achieve a reliable supply of the right quality lignite for our power plants and refining operations in Schwarze Pumpe. At the same time to reduce and limit as far as possible the impacts of mining on the environment and landscapes. With timely recultivation straight after mining we see that a safe diverse post-mining landscape is created.
Power Plants
The lignite-fired power plants of Lausitz Energie Kraftwerke AG generate around 55 billion kilowatt hours of electricity a year. With this we provide security of supply in these days of the German energy transition ('Energiewende'). Our power plants can operate reliably round the clock and supply electricity and heat when needed. Simultaneously they are able to react flexibly to the fluctuating production of renewable electricity. With billions invested in our power plant fleet the emissions have been considerably reduced. That continues to be our target.
Refining
About ten percent of the lignite mined in Lusatia is not used in large-scale power plants. Instead this portion is processed to solid or free-flowing fuels that can be used efficiently and in a decentralized way. The special value of the resource is being optimally enhanced – it is 'refined'. Our refining site in Schwarze Pumpe is the most modern of its kind in Europe.