Security of supplies

Climate conditions of the city of Gdansk result in demand for heat in a period of 7 month in a year. Main district heating system is operated by GPEC, company responsible for transmission and distribution of heat to customers. Until today GPEC has also operated a few local heat plants which supply decentralized district heating systems with heat. The reason why those systems have not been connected to the main system was the lay-out of the city: with the afforested hilly area in the central-west part of the city.

One of the local heat plants, which since 1975 has been fuelled with hard coal, in 2003-2004 was converted into combined heat & power plant based on natural gas. GPEC decided to convert this facility into a new technology because of poor energy efficiency, high exhaust gases pollution and necessity to retrofit old, unreliable installation. The plant is in direct vicinity to the protected forestry area, so environmental protection was one of the most important issues.

The feasibility study for modernization of this coal-fired plant had been prepared by GPEC together with independent consultants, proving the project to be viable. GPEC took part in the World Bank program Coal to Gas conversion. The project was technically and economically designed and then approved by the consultants of the World Bank. On account of the program GPEC received additional funds - 50% of investment costs as a grant from Global Environmental Facility Found. Further 13% were a preferential loan form local environmental protection fund. New facility was commissioned in June 2004. The most important advantages are: high efficiency, low pollution, flexibility and reliability. New combined heat & power plant has 10,6 MW of thermal power and 2,0 MW of electrical power. It supplies heat to residential customers, with ordered power on the level of 8,3 MW. Total electrical power production is transmitted to the grid of local electricity operator KE ENERGA as electricity.

Development of new decentralized CHP Plants for aim of security and reliability of heat and power supply is significant by GPEC strategy. Furthermore, the EU supports such scheme by the directive 2004/8/EC which promotes combined heat and power production. Implementing of such a project corresponds with European objectives.

by Mr Dariusz Sassak