Profil:
PGE SAPGE power starts construction of energy storage facility in Zarnowiec
Listed and state-owned power utility PGE has begun construction of a 263 MW battery energy storage facility with a capacity of 900 MWh in Zarnowiec, according to a press statement from Poland's Ministry of Climate and Environment (MKiS). The ministry added that this investment is the largest battery energy storage facility in the country.
"Poland is accelerating its energy transition by investing not only in renewable energy sources, but also in technologies that ensure the stability of the power system. Construction of the country's largest battery energy storage facility has begun in Zarnowiec," MKiS wrote in the statement.
"PGE has begun construction of a battery energy storage facility with a capacity of 263 MW and 900 MWh. The investment is located in Zarnowiec, in the Pomeranian Province, near offshore wind farms and a pumped-storage power plant. The project has received Poland's first formal promise for energy storage and a contract in the capacity market from 2029," it added.
The climate ministry emphasised that the storage facility will stabilise the energy system, supporting the integration of renewable energy sources and balancing the operation of offshore wind farms.
"PGE plans to further develop energy storage facilities, including investments in Gryfino and 26 distributed installations in five provinces. The development of renewable energy sources must go hand in hand with the construction of a stable, flexible power system," said climate minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska who participated in the construction commencement ceremony, as quoted in the press release.
"That is why we are investing in energy storage facilities – from large-scale ones, such as Zarnowiec, to household prosumer ones. Our goal is for 200,000 Polish homes to have their own energy storage facilities by the end of the term. This is real support for households and for the entire system," she added.
The Ministry of Climate and Environment (MKiS) stressed that energy storage systems are essential for the integration of renewable energy sources and increasing the flexibility of the power system, and that the storage facility in Zarnowiec will be charged during periods of surplus production from renewable energy sources and will return energy to the grid at times of increased demand.
The ministry emphasised that this is particularly important in regions such as Pomerania, where strong sunshine and wind often occur simultaneously.
jz/ han/ ao/