Humming with unseen power Kraftwerk Franken I stands before you. This isn’t just a power plant. It’s a vital artery pumping lifeblood into Nuremberg. Since 1913 this site has provided electricity to a wide swathe of Middle Franconia. Imagine the initial impact. Replacing scattered smaller power plants like Tullnau it ushered in a new era. Initially fueled by coal its six steam generators powered two turbines each generating 3.4 megawatts. That’s a far cry from today’s output.
Today Kraftwerk Franken I boasts a gross output of 843 megawatts. Two towering structures each 83 meters high dominate the skyline. Completed in 1973 and 1976 they are powered by natural gas or light heating oil as needed. High fuel prices mean it mainly operates as a peak and reserve power plant. A crucial role. It steps up when the city’s power needs surge. This is especially true on frigid days. Then Kraftwerk Franken I supplies district heating supporting the main Sandreuth power plant. The heat primarily goes to the Gebersdorf-Röthenbach network. That network is separate from the main one across the Main-Danube Canal.
Block 2 is a significant milestone. It’s a forerunner of today’s highly efficient combined cycle gas turbine plants. These harness the hot exhaust gases from the gas turbine to generate steam. A clever and efficient design. Kraftwerk Franken I also feeds power into the grid via a 110-kV substation. This reduces strain on the high-voltage network earning reduced network usage fees. Impressive isn’t it? Even two 30 MW railway power converters reside on the site across the railway tracks.
In 2012 E.ON planned to close the plant. The Federal Network Agency intervened though. They deemed Kraftwerk Franken I systemically relevant. Its ability to bridge gaps in renewable energy supply is critical. This despite its relatively low capacity. The plant continues to operate. A testament to its importance. It even survived a fire in Block 1 in 2021. The flames reached 80 meters high. District heating was temporarily disrupted but the plant recovered. Kraftwerk Franken I a vital part of Nuremberg’s infrastructure its story continues to unfold.