Another important Step in Poland’s Decarbonization Process
By 2050 Poland will reduce its energy generation from fossil fuels by around 30% to 50%. This is still a comparably high amount, you might think. Fact is, however, that the transition from fossil to renewable energy can definitely not take place from one year to another. And if locally available coal can provide reliable, affordable power to drive the local economy, while ensuring it has the lowest possible carbon footprint, should it not be a viable option for a country like Poland?
There is no doubt that one important pillar of Poland’s decarbonization is the increased use of renewable energies: The order for 81 onshore wind turbines placed with GE Renewable Energy to power the 220 MW Potegowo Wind Project in Slupsk County, Northern Poland, is an important step in the right direction. With a current installed base of 580 MW in Poland, GE Renewable Energy will increase its installed base to 800 MW in the country, once the project is commissioned.
The 220 MW wind farm is expected to help save 480,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per year. GE’s 2MW onshore wind turbines will power the wind farm, which is divided in four sub-projects: Biecino, with five units already in the process of being installed; Karzcino and Wrzescie, with 13 units; Gluszynko, with 20 unit; and Malechowo, with 43 units – in total 81 wind turbines.
All turbines will be manufactured at GE Renewable Energy’s site in Salzbergen, Germany. GE will also provide a five-year Full Service Agreement offering data-driven insights, expert recommendations, and advanced field services.
GE wind onshore 2.75-120 wind turbines source:GE
Peter Wells, Onshore Wind CEO for Europe and SSA at GE Renewable Energy said, “we are proud to announce our first project with Potegowo Mashav Sp Z OO and reiterate our commitment to bring sustainable green electrons to the Polish grid. Poland’s wind industry is vibrant and will continue to thrive, as the upcoming auctions offer promising opportunities to continue supporting the country’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) on its path towards decarbonization.”
Tomer Eizenberg, CEO of Mashav Energia said, “we are thrilled to have the opportunity to build one of the largest wind farms in Poland, which would not have been possible without our partners at GE Renewable Energy. This is a significant milestone in our wind farm investment program, having won the Polish government tender in November 2018 for the supply of 220 MW of wind generated energy to the Polish electricity network”.
The project is backed by the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and is the first renewables investment in Poland in the past three years.
As countries look to expand their use of renewable energy, more and more, they need flexible sources of base load power that can respond quickly when renewable sources of energy are not available. GE Power’s Ostrołęka coal-fired power plant technology will be specifically designed for operational flexibility to improve start time, start fuel, ramp-up and turn-down rate, and minimum load. This plant will reach full load in less than 30 minutes. High efficiency, low emission coal-fired power plants can meet that need.
