First winter with eco-friendly heat in Elbląg
The citizens of Elbląg are benefiting from eco-friendly heat from biomass Thanks to an installation co-generating electricity and heat, Energa Kogeneracja has reduced carbon emissions and improved the region’s energy security. The project was co-funded by the European Union.
The new biomass unit was built to replace a portion of the company’s worn out generation infrastructure. The co-generation installation has been supplying Elbląg with heat since the beginning of this heating season. The production utilizes agricultural biomass, which, when burning, emits as much carbon dioxide as the plant absorbs during its vegetation. The annual biomass consumption is estimated at about 135 thousand tons. Completion of the new unit has allowed the company to increase its heat production capacity by 12% and electricity by 50%.
- This increase of the installed capacity, which we achieved by launching the biomass unit and consequently an increase of electricity generation in the North-Eastern Poland is very significant, on one hand from the standpoint of security of energy supply and on the other with regard of lower production losses. Considering the significant electricity deficit in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie region, being able to use local biomass fuel resources is a step towards the development of the energy sector in the region – stated Maciej Martyniuk, President of the Management Board of Energa Kogeneracja.
Heat and electricity from biomass, or without carbon dioxide
The new unit co-generates electricity and heat and therefore in more efficient than installations generating different types of energy separately. Energa Kogeneracja has also reduced carbon emissions by using agro biomass as the fuel. It is estimated that the new biomass unit will reduce total annual carbon dioxide emissions by over 150 thousand tons, compared to a similar installation fired with black coal.
By using biomass as fuel, Energa Kogeneracja creates demand for this material and engages natural energy resources, which would otherwise be left unused. The Company estimates its annual biomass consumption at about 135 thousand tons.
EU protects the environment
The biomass unit development project in Elblag was funded partially by the European Union under the Cohesion Fund, Measure 9.4 Generation of energy from renewable sources, Priority IX Environment friendly energy infrastructure and energy efficiency, of the Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment 2007-2013. According to the co-funding agreement signed by Energa Kogeneracja and the Ministry of Economy, the project cost is over PLN 200 million and the maximum co-funding amount is PLN 40 million.
Energa Kogeneracja is a company comprising the Generation Segment, responsible for energy generation in the Energa Group. The companies co-generating electricity and heat (CHP, Combined Heat and Power) have the aggregated total capacity of over 530 Mwt and 57 Mwe at their disposal. The total length of the grid is over 182 km. They operate in local markets in Elbląg and Kalisz (generation and transmission) and in Ostrołęka, Kalisz and Żychlina (transmission, distribution and sales).
