FACTBOX: Controversial German coal-fired power plants projects

(Reuters) - The following list shows the status of controversial new coal-fired power plant projects in Germany, where environmental campaigners focus on the climate-harming carbon emissions from the coal-to-power generation process.

By 2020, Europe's biggest electricity market will have to replace 40,000 MW of thermal power plant capacity to keep in step with approaching closures.

Plants in locations listed here in alphabetical order have attracted opposition on environmental and health grounds, or because local people fear impact on the landscape and tourism.

Latest updates are marked***

BERLIN

Vattenfall Europe has decided to base replacements of an 800 MW heat plant in Berlin-Lichtenberg on gas and biomass rather than hard coal, to replace two old units at Klingenberg by 2015. It cited the environmental debate and carbon costs.

DUESSELDORF

The city utility has put off plans for a new 400 MW coal block at Lausward and is exploring alternatives including gas due to local opposition to coal pollution.

HAMBURG-MOORBURG***

Vattenfall Europe hopes to ease tough environmental conditions attached by the Hamburg city government to plans for a 1,645 MW coal-to-power plant, which it says would make an efficient running of the plant impossible. The 2.1 billion euros plant is to be built in the Moorburg suburb for 2012 start.

LUBMIN

Denmark's Dong is holding onto plans for a 1,600 MW hard coal-fired plant in Lubmin on the Baltic Sea in Germany for startup in 2012, at a cost of 2 billion euros. Protesters fear for loss of tourism revenue and the well-being of sea life.

Some 30 local municipalities willing to share the cost are offered a total of 405 MW of capacity rights. Debates are raging everywhere and participants are added or pull out at high speed.

LUENEN

Local utility network Trianel in March won backing for continuing to build a 750 MW coal plant for 2012, although some questions about the inclusion of environmental organizations in decision-making were referred to European courts.

MAINZ-WIESBADEN

Plant operator KMW aims to build a 823 MW hard coal fired plant on the banks of the Rhine for commissioning by 2012/2013. A preliminary approval for the 1.2 billion euros plan has been obtained but there is strong opposition from some local parties.

MANNHEIM***

Utility MVV and its power plant unit GKM plan a 910 MW hard coal unit for start up in 2013, costing 1.2 billion. Citizens group Ikema opposes this. MVV has started preparing the site after getting approval for that and expects further clearance at the end of May or in early June.

STAUDINGER 6

E.ON has offered to use 300 MW heat from a planned 1,100 MW hard coal fired unit to be built at Grosskrotzenburg/Hanau near Frankfurt. E.ON has said it will not go ahead with the 1.2 billion euros project if there continues to be public protest.

(Reporting by Vera Eckert; editing by James Jukwey)