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PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna and the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) will work together on the “Młoty” Pumped Hydroelectric Energy Storage (PHES) project. The implementation of the “Młoty” PHES project will support the national energy transition and ensure the future stability of the operation of the National Power System.
“Pumped Hydroelectric Energy Storage facilities are the only large-scale energy storage technology to date. Only in the last four years, the installed capacity of renewable energy sources in Poland has increased from 8.7 GW in 2018 to 20.3 GW in 2022. Therefore, the implementation of the “Młoty” PHES project will not only support the national energy transition but is also crucial for maintaining the operational stability of the National Power System in southern Poland. PGE is the leader in hydropower in Poland. Our share in the domestic PHES market is about 90 per cent. Therefore, we want to use our experience and develop this technology in cooperation with the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in the construction of “Młoty” PHES,”
Wojciech Dąbrowski, President of the Management Board of PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna, says.
“Power from renewable energy sources in the National Power System is increasing very quickly, but unfortunately the storage capacity is not. PHES are still one of the best large-scale energy storage facilities, and we need them not only to develop RES but also to support Poland’s energy security in crises. The potential of energy storage makes it possible to accumulate energy from renewable sources and, in a very short time, to launch a large energy resource to meet the electricity demand. The implementation of the PGE project will allow the use of modern yet uncomplicated technologies and long-term, fully ‘green’ energy production. The project also has an important socio-economic dimension, as a result of its implementation it will be possible to save on coal consumption for energy purposes, stimulate the local labour market and increase the investment attractiveness of the municipality,”
dr Przemysław Ligenza, President of the Management Board of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, says.
The “Młoty” Pumped Hydroelectric Energy Storage, with a planned total capacity of over 750 MW, is the most advanced PHES construction project in Poland. The project is based on mining works that started in the 1970s and were suspended in the early 1980s.
As part of the investment, two water reservoirs are to be created which, due to their specific functioning, would additionally perform flood control functions in the Bystrzyca Kłodzka municipality.
The power station will be connected to the NPS with a 400 kV high voltage power line, increasing the energy security of the region.
The “Młoty” PHES project is part of the task of Order No. 351 of the Prime Minister of December 28, 2021, on the appointment of an Expert Team for the Construction of Pumped Hydroelectric Energy Storage facilities. This team aims to develop solutions to foster the development of new energy storage facilities, through regulatory and technical support.
