Construction of gas-fired capacities
The energy transition towards zero-carbon is a long-term process, especially for countries like Poland whose energy mix has relied heavily on coal – low-carbon gas capacity is an important transitional stage in this process.
As part of the strategic objective of achieving zero-carbon in 2050, a transition period is assumed in which natural gas, among other fuels, will be used. Investments in gas-fired capacities are part of PGE Group’s strategy and result from the need to balance the system with the growing role of RES and a shortage of flexible generating capacity in Poland. From the first quarter of 2024, the PGE Group includes in its activities dedicated Gas-Fired generation segment. Capacity in the segment will come from two investment projects currently in progress: the construction of gas-fired units (PGE Gryfino 2050) and the construction of a new unit at the Rybnik power plant.
PGE Gryfino 2050 – ccgt units at Dolna Odra power plant
The two gas-steam units at the Dolna Power plant (project Gryfino 2050) – each with a gross capacity of 683 – are a project of strategic importance to the Polish economy. The contract for the investment was signed with General Electric Global Services GmbH, Polimex Mostostal S.A. and General Electric International Inc (currently GE Vernova LLC) in January 2020. The value of the contract was PLN 3.7 billion net and the value of the 12-year maintenance contract over PLN 1 billion. The units under construction will constitute the largest and most modern gas-fired power plant in Poland. The investment will be commissioned in the second half of 2024 and the new units, powered by natural gas, will replace coal-fired capacity that is being phased out, contributing to the gradual decarbonisation of electricity generation in Poland.
A 17-year contract in the main auction of the capacity market was granted for the capacities of the new Dolna Odra plant. They will meet strict environmental standards for emissions.
Currently, the average emissions for power generation in the National Power System is around 0.67 tonnes /. In the new units, the emissions will be below 0.35 tonnes of /. The commissioning of the new units will therefore reduce emissions by approx. 2-3 million tonnes of per year. The new units will produce electricity equivalent to the demand of some 2.5 million households.
The construction of two new gas-fired units will restore the generation potential of the Dolna Odra plant. The investment in modern gas-fired plants is a guarantee of the long-term operation of the power plant, which plays a strategic role in the National Power System as the only system generator for the north-western area of Poland.
0.35 tones of CO2/MWh
maximum emissions of new units
2-3 mlillion tonnes of CO2
per year – result of emissions reduction after commissioning of the new units
The location of the new units will make it possible to take advantage of the potential for gaseous fuel supplies from the nearby LNG terminal in Świnoujście and to exploit the potential of the Baltic Pipe, which was put into service at the end of 2022. Connection to the gas network was ensured through an agreement with GAZ-SYSTEM concluded in March 2020. The investment involved the construction of approx. 63 km of gas pipeline and a gas station.
In 2023, commissioning works were carried out on individual installations. In the area of the gas connection construction, the works were completed – in July 2023, the gas pipeline was commissioned, and in September 2023, the gas pipeline was gasified. In November 2023, the process of chemical cleaning of the unit 9 installation was completed with a positive result, while in December 2023, the same process began on the unit 10 installation. In January 2024, the process of chemical cleaning (so-called pickling) of the unit 10 installation was completed with a positive result. In February 2024, preparations for the commissioning of unit 9 were completed. On February 27, 2024, the first ignition of the Gas Turbine of Unit No. 9 (TG9) took place, while the first synchronization with the National Power System was carried out on March 4, 2024. The regulatory run of unit No. 9 was also carried out and preparatory work for the first ignition of unit No. 10 was completed. In May 2024, the first synchronization of unit No. 10 with the was carried out.
After commissioning, the units in PGE Gryfino 2050 will be among the most modern gas-fired power plants in Europe.
The new units will be characterised by high flexibility, which is important in view of the large installed capacity of onshore wind farms in Pomerania and the planned new capacity in offshore wind farms.
Rybnik 2050 – Construction of a new gas unit at Rybnik Power Plant
On February 9, 2023 PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna signed an agreement with syndicate of Polimex Mostostal S.A., Siemens Energy sp. z o.o. and Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG for realisation of CCGT unit with a gross capacity of 882 in Rybnik with a value of PLN 3 million net. The order also includes a LTSA worth approx. PLN 0.8 billion net. The project’s capital expenditures will be partly – in the amount of approximately PLN 0.88 billion – financed from funds raised through PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna’s Series E share issue, which took place in the first half of 2022.
The new gas-fired unit in Rybnik will replace four coal-fired units planned for decommissioning with a total capacity of 900 at the existing Rybnik Power Plant. The unit is scheduled to be commissioned in December 2026.
The gas-steam unit in Rybnik will be the largest and most efficient unit of this type in Poland and one of the largest in Europe.
The investment will meet the most stringent emission limits resulting from the conclusions for gas-steam units. Emissions of particulates matter and sulphur oxides will be reduced almost to zero, which will significantly affect air quality in the Rybnik region. The emission factor of the new unit is three times lower than for 200 class coal-fired units, and amounts to 320 g of per of electricity generated.
The new gas-steam unit will have the possibility of hydrogen in gas fuel. The unit will be cooled in an open system, i.e. with water from the Rybnik Reservoir, which will have a positive impact on the existing ecosystem. The technological solutions applied will ensure compliance with the assumptions of a .
In December 2022, the Rybnik unit was awarded a 17-year capacity contract in the main capacity market auction, which will take effect from 2027.
The low-carbon 882 MW CCGT unit in Rybnik power plant is well-aligned with the decarbonisation of the energy sector:
- Rebuilding generation capacity in Rybnik
- Low-carbon unit, balancing increasing RES capacities
- Meeting the requirements for a low-carbon unit (BAT conclusions)
- Lower environmental risk – a unit that can be adapted to stricter environmental requirements in the future
- Just transition – Ensuring jobs at the new unit
Gas units have lower emissions than coal units and therefore lower exposure to changes in the price of emission allowances
New unit specification
882 MW Electric capacity
~64%
Electricity efficiency
~320 vs 900 kg/MWh1
O2 emissions
17 lat
support from Capacity Market
2027 r.
First year in the Capacity Market
- Modern, highly efficient conventional generation
- Unit capacity used to ensure energy security
- Potential ability to co-fire hydrogen
- 1 Emissions for the coal-fired unit
On October 9, 2023, the contractor formally took over part of the construction site, allowing preparatory work to begin. On March 12, 2024, the Mayor of Rybnik issued a decision on the construction permit (PnB) for the gas-steam unit. After obtaining the PnB, the contractor started the actual construction work in preparation for laying the foundations for the main building of the unit. The contractor is executing orders for the main elements of the power plant construction (turbine unit, boiler house, auxiliary equipment) and agreements are being concluded with further subcontractors for works and equipment.