Construction of Energa's CCGT unit in Grudziadz nearing end, launch planned for this year

"We are approaching a key moment in the investment, the completion of the main construction phase, in order to begin launching activities. (...) We are building a power plant which, thanks to its flexibility, quick launch and availability, is able to support energy production from renewable sources," CEO Malek said.

"We want to launch it later this year so that we can provide capacity services starting in 2026. (...) We are on the home stretch. We will start commissioning the installation later this year," he added.

According to the CEO, the cost of the investment is approximately PLN 2 billion (EUR 468 mln).

The combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) unit in Grudziadz, powered by high-methane natural gas, will have a net installed capacity of 583 MW. Construction work has begun in 2022. The construction progress is currently over 90 percent.

The general contractor for the unit is a consortium of Siemens Energy and Metlen Energy & Metals.

According to representatives of Siemens Energy, construction and assembly work is ongoing, but preliminary pre-launch work has also begun. Approximately 600-700 people are currently working on the construction site.

The unit will have a capacity of 518 MW, starting in 2026.

The group is preparing a project to build a second unit in Grudziadz.

According to representatives, gas units will play an important role in the energy transition, cooperating with uncontrollable renewable energy sources due to their readiness to replace worn-out coal units, high flexibility and 2/3 lower emissions compared to 200 MW coal units.

As reported, the units will have the prospect of participating in the future market for non-emission gas fuels (e.g. biogas). They will enable further reduction of emission rates through, for example, co-combustion of hydrogen.

"Gas units will be the foundation of the stability of the national energy system," said the CEO of CCGT Grudziadz.

pel/ han/ ao/