Copenhagen Power Plant Turns Waste into Energy—and Doubles as a Ski Slope

Copenhagen Opens World's First Ski Slope Atop State-of-the-Art Waste-to-Energy Plant. Kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Copenhagen Opens World’s First Ski Slope Atop State-of-the-Art Waste-to-Energy Plant. Kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Copenhagen Opens World’s First Ski Slope Atop State-of-the-Art Waste-to-Energy Plant

Copenhagen’s newest architectural marvel proves that sustainable infrastructure can do more than solve environmental challenges. The CopenHill facility (Amager Bakke), which opened today, transforms municipal waste into clean energy while offering residents a unique recreational experience: skiing down the roof of a power plant.

The $670 million facility, designed by Danish architectural firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), is a testament to Copenhagen’s commitment to becoming the world’s first carbon-neutral capital by 2025. Rising 85 meters above the industrial waterfront, the plant’s sloping roof features a 450-meter artificial ski run, making it the first facility to combine waste management with urban recreation.

At its core, CopenHill represents a major advancement in waste-to-energy technology. The plant employs a high-efficiency incineration system that processes up to 450,000 tons of waste annually – equivalent to the waste produced by 500,000 to 700,000 inhabitants. This advanced system converts the thermal energy from waste incineration into electricity and district heating with unprecedented efficiency.

The facility’s technical specifications showcase its environmental prowess:

  • Two furnace lines process 35 tons of waste per hour each
  • Operational temperature reaches 1,000°C
  • Steam parameters: 440°C and 70 bar pressure
  • Combined heat and power efficiency exceeds 99%
  • Advanced flue gas condensation system recovers maximum energy
  • Steam turbine capacity of 67 MW heat and 25 MW electricity

The plant’s environmental control systems set new standards for emissions reduction. Advanced flue gas treatment removes nitrogen oxides, heavy metals, dioxins, and acid gases. The facility employs:

  • Selective catalytic reduction for NOx removal
  • Activated carbon injection for mercury and dioxin capture
  • Wet scrubber system for acid gas neutralization
  • Continuous emissions monitoring systems

“This facility represents the future of waste management,” explains Jacob Simonsen, Managing Director of ARC (Amager Resource Center). “We’re not just disposing of waste – we’re turning it into a valuable resource while maintaining the highest environmental standards possible.”

The economic benefits extend beyond energy production. The plant provides:

  • Electricity to 50,000 homes
  • District heating to 120,000 households
  • Significant reduction in fossil fuel dependency
  • Lower heating costs for local residents
  • Creation of permanent technical and operational jobs
  • Revenue from recreational facilities

“CopenHill demonstrates that public infrastructure can be beautiful, functional, and recreational,” says Frank Jensen, Copenhagen’s Lord Mayor. “This facility will help us achieve our carbon-neutral goals while providing our citizens with unique recreational opportunities.”

The recreational aspects of the facility have captured global attention. The building features:

  • A 450-meter artificial ski slope with four difficulty levels
  • The world’s tallest artificial climbing wall at 85 meters
  • Hiking and running trails
  • Education center with environmental exhibitions
  • Tree-lined recreation areas
  • Panoramic views of Copenhagen

“CopenHill represents what we call hedonistic sustainability,” says Bjarke Ingels, founder of BIG. “The idea that sustainable cities don’t need to be less enjoyable than the way we live today – they can be even more exciting.”

The facility’s impact on Copenhagen’s environmental goals is substantial:

  • Reduces CO2 emissions by up to 100,000 tons annually
  • Recovers 90% of metals from waste ash
  • Processes 97% of local waste
  • Eliminates the need for landfill disposal
  • Supports Denmark’s circular economy initiatives

The plant began processing waste in early 2019, and with today’s official opening of the recreational facilities, Copenhagen residents can finally experience the future of sustainable urban design – one ski run at a time. The facility operates seven days a week, with ski equipment available for rent on-site. Access to the hiking trails and observation deck is free to the public.

Environmental engineers from major cities worldwide are studying Copenhagen’s innovative approach to waste management, suggesting that CopenHill could become a model for future urban infrastructure projects that combine utility with public amenity.

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