Polska Grupa Energetyczna (PGE) has signed a contract with a consortium consisting of Polimex Mostostal and Siemens Energy for the construction of an 882 MW CCGT unit in Rybnik. In addition to the contract for the general implementation of the investment, regarding the construction of a unit worth approx. PLN 3 billion net, a long-term service contract was also concluded with a net value of over PLN 0.76 billion, PGE announced. The new gas unit in Rybnik will replace four decommissioned coal units with a total capacity of 900 MW in the existing Rybnik Power Plant. The unit is scheduled to be commissioned in December 2026.
“The agreement signed today in Rybnik begins one of the largest and most modern energy investments in Silesia. The gas and steam unit, which will be built in Rybnik in less than four years, will contribute to reducing the emission intensity of the national economy, and thus improving air quality in the region. It will also bring tangible savings on the purchase of CO2 emission allowances in the PGE Group. At the same time, the new investment will strengthen Poland’s energy security and ensure stable energy supplies for approx. 2 million households and new jobs both during construction and subsequent operation. This is a specific development impulse for the region, which is particularly important to us in the current economic situation and in the face of the energy transformation,” said PGE CEO Wojciech Dąbrowski, quoted in the release.
In December 2022, the gas and steam unit in Rybnik obtained a 17-year contract in the main auction of the capacity market, which will come into force from 2027, which will ensure return on investment. The implementation of the project will be partially financed with funds obtained from the new issue of PGE shares in 2022, the company reminded.
“We are very happy to inaugurate today the investment that is so expected and so much needed for Silesia. The construction of the unit in Rybnik is a key contract for Polimex, but also another great step in the modernization of the Polish energy sector. (…),” commented Krzysztof Figat, president of Polimex Mostostal.
“Due to the huge challenges in the transformation of the energy sector, investments based on the latest technologies are necessary. They play a key role in ensuring energy security. The gas-steam unit in Rybnik is a perfect example of this type of investment. (…),” added Siemens Energy President in Poland and Siemens Energy Vice President, Eastern Europe, Grzegorz Duży.
The PGE Group generates 41% of net electricity production in Poland, and its share in the heat market is 18%. The Group estimates its share in the renewable energy market at 10%. In a distribution area of approx. 123,000 sq. km2 PGE serves 5.5 million customers. Its market share in terms of the volume of distributed electricity is 25%, and sales to end users – 33%. The company has been listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange since 2009.