GE Power signs contract to build ultra supercritical plant in Poland

Elektrownia Ostrołęka and GE Power have signed a contract to build Ostrołęka C, an ultra-supercritical (USC) coal power plant in the northeast of Poland. GE Power will design and build the power plant as well as manufacture and deliver the ultra-supercritical technology components -- boiler and steam turbine generator -- ensuring the highest efficiency level possible for a steam power plant in Poland with 46% efficiency, well above the global average of 33%. This represents a 26% reduction in CO2 emissions for each MW produced. GE Power will also supply air quality control systems that meet with the latest EU standards in terms of local emissions.

“Today’s signing with Elektrownia Ostrołęka marks a significant milestone. Ostrołęka C will deliver reliable, affordable power with the lowest possible carbon footprint. Through enhanced load flexibility, this plant will help stabilize the grid and support the growth of renewables,” said Andreas Lusch, CEO of GE’s Steam Power. “Ostrołęka C will have the best-in-class technology to respond to today’s changing energy landscape.”

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. High efficiency, low emission coal-fired power plants can meet that need. GE Power’s Ostrołęka 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.

“This is an important investment on behalf of Energa and Enea,” said Edward Siurnicki, President of Elektrownia Ostrołęka. “Together, we have several years of hard work ahead of us. We are convinced that with GE’s experience, we will be successful and have a new plant operational in 2023.”

GE Power’s EPC expertise comes from more than 100 GW installed through 200 integrated projects and its Steam Power business was awarded twice with Coal Plant of the Year and EPC of the Year in 2015 for Manjung power plant and again in 2016 for Tanjung Bin power plant, both in Malaysia. Ostrołęka C will start operating within 56 months after the notice to proceed and generate a gross output of 1,000 MW, enough to power 300,000 homes in Poland.

“GE Power has the broadest portfolio of technology to help countries like Poland work through the changes in today’s energy landscape,” said Russell Stokes, President and CEO of GE Power. “No matter what type of energy source countries or customers choose, we can help them to meet their needs with respect to energy security, cost and sustainability with best-in-class technology.”