GE Renewable Energy has signed a contract with PGE Odnawialna S.A. to replace the four 125 MW pump-turbines and motor-generators of the Porabka Zar pumped hydro storage plant in Poland.
Porabka Zar is the second largest pumped storage power plant in Poland. It plays a significant role in power generation in the country and provides important ancillary services to the Polish electricity system, according to a release.
This rehabilitation contract aims to extend the lifetime of the hydropower plant for several decades by replacing the 40+-year-old turbines with new, reliable and high efficiency pump-turbines and motor-generators.
GE Hydro Solutions will be responsible for the design, manufacturing and supply of the new equipment, as well as the excitation and governing systems. GE will also supervise the erection and commissioning of the four new units. GE Hydro Solutions will replace the existing stay rings and existing stay vanes with new ones specially designed for Porabka Zar. Due to the confined workspace, the cutting and welding processes used will be specific to this project.
Commercial operation of the four units is expected in the beginning of 2028.
“This rehabilitation project is the first large-scale rehabilitation project of its kind in Poland in 40 years,” said Pascal Radue, president and chief executive officer of GE’s Hydro Solutions. “We are delighted to be part of it and support PGE Odnawialna S.A. in this upgrade process. This demonstrates that Poland makes every effort to achieve the Net Zero goal by 2050. This new equipment will help increase the flexibility and reliability of the plant and consequently stabilize the grid in the country.”
GE Renewable Energy is part of the GE Vernova portfolio and works in onshore and offshore wind, blades, hydro, storage, utility-scale solar, and grid solutions, as well as hybrid renewables and digital services offerings. GE Vernova is comprised of the power, renewable energy, digital and energy financial services businesses.
