Celebratory commissioning of the new Czechnica-2 gas-fired combined heat and power plant in Siechnice

In Siechnice, at the KOGENERACJA Wrocław Combined Heat and Power Plant Complex, owned by PGE Energia Ciepła of the PGE Group, the new Czechnica-2 gas-fired CHP plant with an electrical output of 179 MWe and a thermal power output of 315 MWt was officially commissioned. The contractor of the investment project was a consortium including: Polimex Mostostal S.A. (consortium leader) and Polimex Energetyka Sp. z o.o. (consortium partner). Siemens Energy was the technology partner for the project.

The modern plant will meet approximately 20 per cent of the heat demand of Wrocław residents and all consumers in the Siechnice municipality connected to the district heating network. The capital expenditure amounted to approximately PLN 1.4 billion. The PGE Group plans to allocate nearly PLN 18 billion for the development of district heating systems until 2035.

“For us, the commissioning of the gas and steam unit at the Czechnica-2 CHP plant is not only the completion of an important project, but first and foremost, proof of the efficiency and determination of our team. Despite the challenges encountered during the implementation, we managed to deliver a modern and efficient energy unit that will serve the residents of Wrocław and the Siechnice municipality for many years to come. I would like to thank all the staff and partners for their commitment and professionalism.” - said Jakub Stypuła, President of the Management Board of Polimex Mostostal S.A.

“A deep and profound change of the entire sector is hiding under the name energy transformation, not only in terms of technology, but also environmental one. The newly opened CHP plant in Siechnice is an example of how modern low-carbon technologies can be effectively introduced into the domestic heating sector while reducing the carbon intensity of the Polish economy. I am delighted that here, in Lower Silesia, a key change is taking place in the energy sector of the country.” - said Michał Jaros, Deputy Minister of Development and Technology.

“The Czechnica-2 CHP is a new chapter of the heating systems of PGE Group - this is our largest investment in this area, a symbolic beginning of a generational change - we are switching to modern gas technology. It results in real benefits for consumers: lower costs, greater reliability, cleaner air. This investment is another step towards low-carbon district heating - a direction set by our strategy. We plan to invest around PLN 18 billion in modern technology and smart district heating systems by 2035. This will reduce our CO₂ emissions by nearly 55% and give our customers access to clean, safe and affordable heating. We are consistently building the future of sustainable energy” - concluded Dariusz Marzec, President of the Management Board of PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna.

The new Czechnica-2 CHP is a key energy investment for the Wrocław conurbation and the Siechnice municipality. It replaced an old coal-fired CHP plant which was more than a century old. The project involved the construction of a 179 MWe and 163 MWt gas and steam unit (BGP), consisting of two SGT-800 gas turbines, two recovery boilers with afterburning systems and an SST-600 steam turbine. In addition, a peak and standby boiler plant with a total capacity of 152 MWt and a heat accumulator with a capacity of 13,000 m³ were built. The new unit is designed with the future use of green fuels such as hydrogen in mind.