Monday 27 October 2014

Hydropower in Poland

Despite the fact that hydropower is one of the oldest energy resources in Poland, it did not gain popularity. The landscape, irregular rains and high costs of investment caused other RES to be chosen over hydropower.

Polish hydroelectric resources are estimated to be around 13.7 TWh per year, unfortunately with its potential not fully used. The usage of the resources is difficult and does not bring good economic return, due to Polish water and energy resources being too small ( caused by relatively abundant and irregular rainfall during the year). Moreover, the geology of the country is unfavorable and can be characterized by high permeability and a slight decrease in land areas. Therefore, in 2013 electricity produced from hydropower in Poland was equal to 2.4 TWh.

Out of 13,7 TWh, the river’s capacity of producing electricity is given as follows:

45.3% of the falls on the Vistula River ( Wisla )
9.3% of the falls on the river Oder ( Odra )
43.6% of the falls on the basin of the Vistula and the Oder
1.8% of the falls on the rivers located on the coast line

In Poland there are about 400 hydroelectric plants, including only a few with capacity higher than 5 MW ( picture1 presents location of the biggest hydro power plants). The biggest hydropower plants in Poland are mainly pumped storage, which are:

Żarnowiec - 680 MW
Porąbka - Zar - 500 MW
Zydowo - 150 MW
Wloclawek - 160 MW
Solina - 136 MW
Czorsztyn - 93 MW

Location of the biggest Polish Hydro Power Plants ( + their capacity listed on the right)

There is currently an increase in the number of hydropower plants, especially small ones. Global installed capacity of hydropower, not pumped - storage systems, has doubled in Poland compared to 1970 and currently amounts to approx. 700 MW, and the construction of a further 98 MW.

As this technology is not very popular in Poland, the information on the internet is pretty limited. Furthermore, there isn't any association in Poland that gathers producers of electricity from hydro source.

Based on:

http://ioze.pl/energetyka-wodna/energetyka-wodna-w-polsce-2

http://www.oze.pl/energia-wodna/energia-wodna,7.html

http://www.zielonaenergia.eco.pl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=164:stan-rozwoju-energetyki-wodnej-w-polsce-i-na-wiecie&catid=50:woda&Itemid=216