PGE Energia Ciepła, a subsidiary of Polska Grupa Energetyczna (PGE), has commissioned a modern, low-emission gas boiler house at Elektrociepłowni Bydgoszcz I, the company announced. The investment with a total capacity of approx. 40 MW was implemented as part of the ongoing transformation of district heating assets. The new boiler house consists of four water gas boilers with a capacity of 9.5 MWt each. The cost of the investment amounted to over PLN 23 million.
“The commissioning of a low-emission gas boiler house with a capacity of approx. 40 MW allowed for the complete shutdown of coal-fired boilers in Elektrociepłownia Bydgoszcz I and will contribute to reducing CO2 emissions by nearly 50%. This investment brings us closer to achieving a 100% share of low- and zero-emission fuels in heat production by 2030. I am glad that it was implemented by the Polish company Energotechnika – Energorozruch. Currently, as part of the transformation of the heating sector, we are implementing nine investments in the PGE Group, the purpose of which is to move away from generating heat from coal,” said Wojciech Dąbrowski, President of PGE, quoted in the release.
The launched gas boiler house replaced the coal boilers in Elektrociepłownia Bydgoszcz I, which were completely decommissioned. The devices used in it will ensure high efficiency of converting fuel energy into thermal energy, while maintaining high reliability and availability. The cost of the investment amounted to over PLN 23 million.
PGE is also implementing a second low-emission investment in Bydgoszcz, which will allow for a departure from coal by 2030. As a result of its implementation, five cogeneration units based on gas engines with a total capacity of 52.6 MWe and a reserve and peak source with a total capacity of over 70 MWt will be built in Elektrociepłownia Bydgoszcz II, enabling safe operation and ensuring guaranteed parameters, according to the material.
Currently, as part of the transformation of the heating sector, the PGE Group is implementing nine investments in locations: Siechnice, Rzeszów, Bydgoszcz, Kielce, Gorzów Wielkopolski, Gdynia, Lublin, Zgierz, Zawidawie, the purpose of which is to completely abandon the generation of heat from coal and switch to low-emission generation in high-efficiency gas cogeneration, gas boilers and renewable energy sources.
At the same time, in the largest locations of PGE EC Kraków, Wrocław and Gdańsk, advanced preparatory work is underway as part of the asset transformation plan.
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.