The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing a PLN 566m (some EUR 140m) loan to Elektrocieplownia Stalowa Wola for the construction of a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power station with an electric capacity of 450 MWe and heating capacity of 240 MWth. This highly efficient power plant will be built on an existing industrial site within the boundaries of the Stalowa Wola power plant in South-Eastern Poland. It will provide electricity to the grid and heat to neighbouring towns as well as industrial off-takers. It is expected to be operational in the second half of 2015.
The EIB promotes the development of sustainable, competitive and secure energy supplies. Accordingly, the overall efficiency of the plant will reach a level significantly above the industry average. This is mainly due to the advanced gas-fired combined cycle technology used and simultaneous generation of useful heat.
As the EIB cares for the environment, this efficient electricity production will have a lower environmental impact than other more polluting alternatives like coal or lignite power stations. The project will help to reduce coal consumption at the Stalowa Wola power plant by 100 000 tonnes per year.
Moreover, the new power station will improve the security of the internal supply of electricity in Poland and increase competition in the Polish electricity market. Thanks to the use of gas, it also will foster the fuel diversification in the Polish power sector.
