Hydroelectric power plants in Poland – everything you need to know about them
Poland has vast potential for generating electricity through hydropower due to its abundant rivers and lakes. Hydroelectric power plants are significant contributors to Poland’s energy mix, offering clean energy and bolstering the nation’s energy autonomy. This article will delve into the history, significance, and existing challenges surrounding hydropower in Poland.
History of hydroelectric power plants in Poland
Hydropower in Poland traces its roots to the 19th century, notably marked by the inauguration of the Hydroelectric Power Plant on the Krutynia River in 1899. Subsequently, during the interwar period, Poland emerged as a leading figure in Central and Eastern Europe by constructing numerous hydroelectric power plants.
Among Poland’s renowned hydroelectric facilities stands the Solina Hydroelectric Power Plant on the San River. Commencing operations in 1968, it remains one of the country’s largest installations of its kind.
Solina Hydroelectric Power Plant; source: solinajachty.pl
Types of hydroelectric power plants in Poland and in the world
There are various types of hydroelectric power plants, each harnessing water energy differently:
- Pumped-storage (reservoir) hydropower plants: These plants employ large water reservoirs, such as lakes or retention reservoirs, to store energy. During periods of lower demand, water is pumped to higher reservoirs, ready to generate electricity during peak demand. The Żarnowiec Power Plant in Czymanów is Poland’s largest pumped storage power plant.
- Run-of-river (turbine) hydroelectric power plants: Among the most common, these plants use the natural flow of rivers or streams to spin turbines and produce electricity. The Myczkowce Hydroelectric Power Plant in Poland is an example of such a facility.
- Wave and tidal power plants: These plants tap into the movements of waves and tides to generate electricity, often located in high-energy potential areas along coastlines.
- Underground hydroelectric power plants: These plants utilize differences in underground water levels to create electricity, employing specialized pumps and turbines for this purpose.
The selection of a hydropower plant type depends on factors like location, water resource availability, and the intended purpose of energy production. Each type of plant comes with its distinct advantages and limitations.
The largest hydroelectric power plants in Poland
Poland boasts several substantial hydroelectric power plants, some notably larger than others. Here’s a list of some of the largest ones:
- Solina-Myczkowce Hydroelectric Power Plant Complex: It comprises the Solina Hydroelectric Power Plant, a pumped-storage facility with 4 Francis type turbine sets boasting 200 MW installed capacity, and the Myczkowce Hydroelectric Power Plant, a flow-balanced plant with 2 Kaplan-type turbine sets totaling 8.3 MW.
- Porąbka-Żar Hydroelectric Power Plant: This is Poland’s second-largest hydroelectric plant, with a capacity of 500 MW.
- Niedzica Hydroelectric Power Plant: Nestled along the Dunajec River, this plant holds a capacity of 93 MW. It’s a popular tourist destination, set amidst the picturesque Pieniny Mountains and forming part of the Czorsztyńska dam.
- Włocławek Hydroelectric Power Plant: With a capacity of 160 MW, this is Poland’s largest run-of-river power plant.
- Żarnowiec Hydroelectric Power Plant: Boasting a capacity of 716 MW, it stands as Poland’s largest pumped storage power plant. Situated in Czymanowo on Lake Żarnowieckie, it straddles the Pomeranian Voivodeship bordering Puck and Wejherowo counties.
Apart from these larger facilities, Poland is dotted with numerous smaller hydroelectric plants spread across its landscape, all contributing to electricity production and water flow regulation.
The importance of hydroelectric power plants in Poland
In 2022, hydropower plants in Poland generated slightly under 2% of the country’s electricity. Despite this relatively small percentage, these plants hold a significant role in providing energy to the national grid. Their capability to generate electricity as needed positions them as a valuable energy source, particularly during periods of heightened demand.
Electricity production in Poland in 2022; source: own study based on data from energy.instrat.pl
Poland, as it grows, faces an escalating demand for electricity, and hydroelectric power plants stand as a sustainable and eco-friendly means to meet this rising need.
The significance of pumped storage power plants lies in their role as extensive energy storage facilities. These plants amass and subsequently release energy during peak electricity demand, employing a cyclic pumping process. By utilizing surplus energy, often from renewable sources, they operate by raising and lowering water between reservoirs at different elevations. As this stored water’s potential energy is released, it propels turbines, converting kinetic energy into electrical energy.
Poland boasts several substantial pumped storage power plants, including:
- Żarnowiec Power Plant in Czymanów (716 MW) – the largest in Poland.
- Porąbka-Żar Power Plant in Międzybrodzie Bialskie (500 MW).
- Solina-Myczkowce Hydroelectric Power Plant Complex in Solina (200 MW).
- Żydowo Power Plant (156 MW).
- Czorsztyn-Niedzica-Sromowce Wyżne Power Plant (94.6 MW).
- Dychów Power Plant (90 MW).
These plants contribute significantly to Poland’s energy landscape, aiding in both energy production and storage.
Challenges for hydropower plants
Hydropower plants in Poland confront various challenges despite their advantages. One primary issue revolves around the fluctuating flow of river water. Droughts and heavy rainfall can significantly impact water availability for electricity generation. To counter these variations, there’s a need to develop water storage systems like retention reservoirs to offset these fluctuations.
Another challenge entails the modernization of existing hydropower plants and the construction of new ones. Aging facilities require upgrades for improved efficiency and eco-friendliness. Simultaneously, investing in new plants becomes crucial to augment overall production capacity.
Deputy Minister of Climate, Ireneusz Zyska, announced in late 2022 that a special inter-ministerial team, appointed by the Prime Minister, is crafting designs for new pumped-storage power plants. Anticipated to reach a collective capacity of 5.5-6 GW, these new facilities signify a step toward bolstering Poland’s energy infrastructure.
Moreover, it’s important to note that hydropower plants can impact natural environments, particularly river ecosystems. Hence, meticulous planning and ongoing monitoring are imperative to minimize these facilities’ ecological footprint.
Financing for hydroelectric power plants
The Polish government and the European Union extend diverse financing options to support the development of small-scale hydropower plants. Although not the most prevalent method to become an energy prosumer, it holds popularity, particularly among farmers.
In 2023, initiatives such as “Energy for the Countryside” and “Agroenergy” have proven successful. These programs offer funding opportunities for investments in hydropower. Public funding also aids the largest hydroelectric power plants in Poland.
Notably, in 2023, co-financing efforts encompassed the modernization of the Gubin Hydroelectric Power Plant. Expected to conclude in the first quarter of 2024, this modernization aims to ensure uninterrupted operation for the next 40 years. The revamped plant is projected to augment its production potential by 10%, surging to 4,845 MWh compared to the current 4,405 MWh.
Hydroelectric power plants in Poland – summary
Hydroelectric power plants hold a crucial position in Poland’s energy mix, offering clean electricity, enhancing energy autonomy, and fostering sustainable development. Despite facing certain challenges, Poland possesses significant untapped hydropower potential. Consequently, these plants are poised to assume an increasingly pivotal role in fulfilling the country’s electricity needs in the future.