FACTBOX: Controversial German coal-fired power plant 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 the impact on landscapes and tourism.

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.

BRUNSBUETTEL

Environmental groups BUND and DUH criticize plans by GDF Suez to build an 800 MW hard coal plant at Brunsbuettel by 2012. A public hearing is under way and permissioning may progress in Sept/October

DATTELN

A district government in North-Rhine Westphalia has partially blocked the ongoing process to award construction contracts for E.ON's Datteln plant.

The move, against which E.ON can appeal, effectively prevents the company from taking further steps to complete the 1.2 billion euro ($1.77 billion) project.

More than half of the 1,050 MW plant has been completed. It was meant to come on stream in 2011.

DOERPEN

EnBW and Switzerland's BKW plan to build an 800-900 MW coal plant by 2015 with options to combine heat and power generation as well as carbon sequestration. Local opponents say they favor wind energy.

DUESSELDORF

The city utility has put off plans for a new 400 MW coal block at Lausward and is exploring alternatives including gas, citing local opposition to coal pollution and the warming effect from emitting used cooling water into the Rhine river.

HAMBURG-MOORBURG

Vattenfall Europe tries 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.

KIEL

The city utility has decided to study gas as an alternative fuel to fire a small planned power plant and expects a decision maybe in 2010. Plans for an 800 MW coal based project to replace an existing nearly 40-year old block was shelved by the utility and its partner E.ON in April 2008 after a long row with opponents.

LUBMIN

Denmark's Dong shows it is holding onto yet to be approved plans for a 1,600 MW hard coal-fired plant in Lubmin on Baltic Sea in Germany for startup in 2012, at a cost of 2 billion euros by agreeing with Vattenfall's transmission unit that it will transport the power on its networks. Protesters say they fear for loss of tourism revenue and well-being of the sea life.

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 about wildlife and plants were referred to European courts. Media reports say the experience has made Trianel cautious about a similar plant planned at Krefeld.

MAINZ-WIESBADEN

Green forces within the city of Wiesbaden government have taken fresh steps to try and stop a 800 MW hard-coal fired plants on the banks of the Rhine, citing environmental and health reasons. A decision is due by the end of 2009.

The 1.2 billion euros project by KMW was meant to be commissioned by 2014. There have already been endless court battles and wrangling by local parties.

MANNHEIM

Utility MVV and its power plant unit GKM in July received permission for a 910 MW hard coal unit for start up in 2013, costing 1.2 billion euros, under emission control laws. Citizens group Ikema opposes the project. MVV has started preparing the site.

STADE

Dow Deutschland and EnBW in June abandoned a plan to build a coal-to-power plant at the Dow site in North Germany which they had wanted to be combined with a gas turbine to utilize over 1,000 MW power generating capacity by 2014.

Two other operators, GDF Suez and E.ON are each pursuing plans for big coal plants at Stade, a former nuclear power site where a reactor is idled, for start in 2012 and 2014 respectively. Local initiatives plan anti-coal demos in October.

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 by 2013 to appease protesters against the related CO2 emissions and alleged damage to plans to redevelop former U.S. military barracks sites into new housing estates. These have backing from the Hanau city magistrate. The deadline for objections to the 1.2 billion euros project has expired. New discussions by E.ON and authorities in November.

(Reporting by Vera Eckert; editing by James Jukwey)