Poland’s largest refiner, PKN ORLEN is spending PLN 1.65 bn on a new investment in Plock. The new plant is expected to open at the end of 2017. It will generate heat and electricity simultaneously, using the high-tech co-generation solutions.
The project to construct a Combined Cycle Power Plant in Plock has been approved today by the PKN ORLEN Supervisory Board. The new unit, with a capacity of nearly 600 MWe, is expected to come on stream at the end of 2017. The project, involving the construction of the CCGT unit on a ‘turn key’ basis and the auxiliary infrastructure, is valued at PLN 1.65 bn.
The Supervisory Board’s decision completes the corporate approval process and marks the beginning of the last phase of preparations for the signing of the contract with the general contractor. The execution stage may now commence – PKN ORLEN has secured the required documents, including the building permit, the grid connection agreement with Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne, and the gas system connection agreement with Gaz System. The execution phase is expected to span a period of 36 months.
“Having thoroughly reviewed the assumptions underlying construction of another CCGT unit, we resolved to continue the development of our industrial power segment based on assets located in Wloclawek and Plock. The profitability of our power sector projects depends on local conditions and synergies with the existing production plants. Following project completion, we will emerge as a leader of gas co-generation and will strengthen our leading position in this segment of Poland’s power sector. In three years, the capacity of ORLEN Group’s co-generation assets will come close to 1.5 GWe, which is important to the energy security of both PKN ORLEN and of the country as a whole,” said Mr Jacek Krawiec, the company’s CEO.
Thanks to its location on the premises of the Production Plant in Plock and connection to the existing steam collectors and the power grid. The new unit will significantly improve the energy efficiency of the plant’s production processes and will help support the optimum use of natural gas and reduction of CO2 emissions. The project, featuring a top class gas turbine, will supply industrial steam for the Production Plant in Plock and electricity for the National Power Grid. It will be PKN ORLEN’s second CCGT unit after the one in Wloclawek, where a 463 MWe project is being constructed.
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