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Rybnik power station is an operating power station of at least 875-megawatts (MW) in Rybnik Wielopole, Rybnik, Slaskie, Poland with multiple units, some of which are not currently operating.
Location
Table 1: Project-level location details
| Plant name | Location | Coordinates (WGS 84) |
|---|---|---|
| Rybnik power station | Rybnik Wielopole, Rybnik, Slaskie, Poland | 50.13406, 18.52196 (exact)[1] |
The map below shows the exact location of the power station.
Unit-level coordinates (WGS 84):
- CC1, Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 4, Unit 5, Unit 6, Unit 7, Unit 8, Unit 9: 50.13406, 18.52196
Project Details
Table 2: Unit-level details
| Unit name | Status | Fuel(s) | Capacity (MW) | Technology | CHP | Start year | Retired year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CC1 | Pre-construction[2][3][4][5] | fossil gas: natural gas[6] | 900[7][6] | combined cycle[6] | no[1] | 2027 (planned)[2][8][9] | – |
| Unit 1 | Retired | coal: bituminous | 225 | subcritical | – | 1972 | 2021 |
| Unit 2 | Retired | coal: bituminous | 225 | subcritical | – | 1972 | 2021 |
| Unit 3 | Retired[10] | coal: bituminous | 225 | subcritical | – | 1973 | 2023[10] |
| Unit 4 | Retired[10] | coal: bituminous | 225 | subcritical | – | 1974 | 2023[10] |
| Unit 5 | Operating | coal: bituminous | 215 | subcritical | – | 1978 | 2025 (planned) |
| Unit 6 | Operating | coal: bituminous | 215 | subcritical | – | 1978 | 2025 (planned) |
| Unit 7 | Operating | coal: bituminous | 220 | subcritical | – | 1978 | 2025 (planned) |
| Unit 8 | Operating | coal: bituminous | 225 | subcritical | – | 1978 | 2025 (planned) |
| Unit 9 | Cancelled | coal: bituminous | 910 | supercritical | – | 2013 | – |
CHP is an abbreviation for Combined Heat and Power. It is a technology that produces electricity and thermal energy at high efficiencies. Coal units track this information in the Captive Use section when known.
Table 3: Unit-level ownership and operator details
| Unit name | Owner | Parent |
|---|---|---|
| CC1 | PGE Energia Ciepła SA [100%][11] | Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA [100.0%] |
| Unit 1 | PGE Energia Ciepła SA [100%][11] | Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA [100.0%] |
| Unit 2 | PGE Energia Ciepła SA [100%][11] | Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA [100.0%] |
| Unit 3 | PGE Energia Ciepła SA [100%][11] | Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA [100.0%] |
| Unit 4 | PGE Energia Ciepła SA [100%][11] | Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA [100.0%] |
| Unit 5 | PGE Energia Ciepła SA [100%][11] | Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA [100.0%] |
| Unit 6 | PGE Energia Ciepła SA [100%][11] | Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA [100.0%] |
| Unit 7 | PGE Energia Ciepła SA [100%][11] | Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA [100.0%] |
| Unit 8 | PGE Energia Ciepła SA [100%][11] | Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA [100.0%] |
| Unit 9 | PGE Energia Ciepła SA [100%][11] | Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA [100.0%] |
Background
Rybnik Power Station is a subcritical coal plant owned by the Polish power company EDF Group. It consisted of eight units of 200 to 225 MW each, commissioned from 1972 to 1978.[12]
In October 2017, PGE Group acquired the Polish assets of EDF, on condition that PGE sell most of the electricity generated by the Rybnik coal plant via the power exchange.[13]
Retirements
In 2018, PGE said it would close 450 MW of coal-fired capacity at the plant by 2021 because of pending EU clean air standards.[14]
In September 2020, PGE said it planned to close units 1 and 2 (450 MW total) in August 2021, while unit 3 (225 MW) would be retained as back-up from August 17, 2021 to December 31, 2022, when it would be permanently shuttered along with unit 4 (225 MW). The company gave no reason behind the decision to shut down four of the plant’s eight units.[15][16]
Units 1 and 2 retired in August 2021 as planned. The decision of the Management Board of PGE GiEK to decommission the units was dictated by the European Union's new environmental standards (so-called "BAT conclusions").[17]
In March 2022, Units 3 and 4 were given a proposed one year extension, and they were expected to be decommissioned in 2023.[18]
PGE retired Units 3 and 4 on December 31, 2023.[19]
In September 2024, PGE announced plans to retire the four remaining coal units at Rybnik by the end of 2025 when capacity market contracts expire. Heat supply from the plant was scheduled to end by August 31, 2026.[20]
New coal plant now proposed to be gas
In 2011, EDF proposed constructing a new 910 MW supercritical coal-fired power plant at the site. The project would involve the replacement of the four oldest units at the existing Rybnik plant, in line with EU environmental directives requiring the shutting down of the oldest production units from 2016. The new unit would burn 10% biomass and cost about 1.8 billion euros.[21]
In December 2012, EDF stated that the project was suspended due to projected decreases in energy demand and support for coal plants, and the decision by the European Commission not to allow the new Rybnik coal-fired unit to be included in the National Investment Plan of the Republic of Poland, Preventing EdF from getting CO2 emission allowances as allowed under Art 10c of the EU ETS directive.[22]
According to the NGO Banktrack: "The economic case for shelving the project is increasing. As of February 2012 both EdF and the Polish authorities exert strong pressure upon the European Commission to modify its decision from 13th of July 2012 and the company is heavily lobbying the Polish law-makers to maintain the current support for co-firing. Were the EDF to continue with the investment and the new unit completed it would produce approximately 4,7 million tones of CO2 per year."[22]
It was believed that, in 2013, EDF would decide whether to abandon the project or begin construction.[22]
In July 2013, EDF maintained its decision to suspend the new plant. In the meantime, EDF was planning to invest EUR 300 million in modernizing four existing units, which would produce approximately 4.7 million tons of CO2 per year,[23] and extend the lifespan of the four coal-fired units by around 15 years.[24]
In November 2015, it was reported that EDF was planning to sell its Rybnik power station. If sold, there was a possibility that the once proposed new unit at Rybnik could be brought back to life by the buyer.[25]
In October 2017, PGE Group acquired the Polish assets of EDF, on condition that PGE sell most of the electricity generated by the Rybnik coal plant via the power exchange.[26]
In March 2019, PGE said it was instead planning a new 700 MW gas unit at Rybnik.[27]
Gas plans
In January 2021, PGE announced the project would be a gas-fired 800 MW plant.[28] The power station is noted as being able to burn Hydrogen as part of its mix of fuels, although the exact percentages are unclear.[28]
Articles and Resources
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20230103182122/https://datasets.wri.org/dataset/globalpowerplantdatabase. Archived from the original on 03 January 2023.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|archive-date=(help); Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20240124182547/https://forsal.pl/biznes/energetyka/artykuly/8195511,pge-giek-przetarg-na-budowe-bloku-gazowego-w-rybniku-w-najblizszych-miesiacach.html. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20240218205235/https://www.money.pl/gielda/pge-buduje-najwieksza-elektrownie-gazowa-zastapia-bloki-weglowe-6864643622927264a.html. Archived from the original on 18 February 2024.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20240404111010/https://rybnik.wyborcza.pl/rybnik/7,180134,30607701,tak-ma-wygladac-elektrownia-na-gaz-w-rybniku-wizualizacje.html. Archived from the original on 04 April 2024.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|archive-date=(help); Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20240404111026/https://wysokienapiecie.pl/85387-energetyka-gazowa-nie-zamierza-sie-zwijac/. Archived from the original on 04 April 2024.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|archive-date=(help); Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 https://web.archive.org/web/20240124175213/https://pgegiek.pl/aktualnosci/gazowy-blok-energetyczny-wiodacym-wariantem-dla-nowych-mocy-w-elektrowni-pge-giek-w-rybniku. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20240124231139/https://www.radio90.pl/najwieksza-elektrownia-gazowa-w-europie-powstanie-w-rybniku-podpisano-umowe.html. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20240124184935/https://www.energate-messenger.com/news/214936/pge-replaces-coal-with-gas. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20240124231030/https://www.pap.pl/aktualnosci/news%2C1520736%2Cw-rybniku-powstanie-najwieksza-elektrownia-gazowa-w-polsce-dla-pge-zbuduja. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 https://web.archive.org/web/20240218232147/https://rybnik.wyborcza.pl/rybnik/7,180134,30578222,elektrownia-w-rybniku-bez-kolejnych-blokow-weglowych-za-miliardy.html. Archived from the original on 18 February 2024.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 11.8 11.9 https://web.archive.org/web/20200928041237/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-edf-m-a-pge-polska/watchdog-approves-pges-purchase-of-edfs-polish-assets-sets-conditions-idUSKBN1CA0PW. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ "EDF Rybnik," EDF, accessed September 2012
- ↑ "Watchdog approves PGE's purchase of EDF's Polish assets, sets conditions," Reuters, October 5, 2017
- ↑ "IEEFA Europe: Looming EU anti-pollution standards undercut recent coal investments," IEEFA, November 27, 2019
- ↑ "PGE to close 900 MW of coal-fired capacity by 2023". www.montelnews.com. 2020-09-16. Retrieved 2020-09-23.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Polish utilities to close 2.1 GW of coal-fired plant in 2021". www.montelnews.com. 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "PGE GiEK wyłączyła dwa bloki węglowe w Elektrowni Rybnik. W zamian będzie gaz," slaski Biznes, August 18, 2021
- ↑ "PGE GiEK chce przedłużyć życie dwóch bloków Elektrowni Rybnik," Rybnik.com.pl, March 23, 2022
- ↑ "Elektrownia w Rybniku bez kolejnych bloków węglowych. Za miliardy budują nowe na gaz," Wyborcza.pl, January 10, 2024
- ↑ “PGE to shut coal units at Rybnik power plant by end of 2025,” Reuters, September 26, 2024
- ↑ "EDF will build in Rybnik, Poland, a highly efficient 900 MW supercritical coal-fired power plant," EDF, May 12, 2011
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 "Rybnik coal power plant," Banktrack, accessed March 2013
- ↑ "Rybnik coal power plant," Banktrack, accessed April 2014.
- ↑ "Power in Europe," Platts report, Issue 675, April 28, 2014 (subscription only)
- ↑ "Energa i Enea rozważają współpracę przy projekcie w Ostrołęce," cire.pl, November 17, 2015
- ↑ "Watchdog approves PGE's purchase of EDF's Polish assets, sets conditions," Reuters, October 5, 2017
- ↑ "Stępiński: PGE opencasts to cover?" Biznes Alert, March 14, 2019
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 Gazowy blok energetyczny wiodącym wariantem dla nowych mocy w elektrowni PGE GiEK w Rybniku, PGE Górnictwo i Energetyka Konwencjonalna, January 15, 2021
Additional data
To access additional data, including interactive maps of the power stations, downloadable datasets, and summary data, please visit the Global Coal Plant Tracker and the Global Oil and Gas Plant Tracker on the Global Energy Monitor website.
