
In order to maintain reliable local generation capabilities, Ignitis Gamyba is assessing possibilities to expand the capacity of the Kruonis Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Plant (PSHP) by constructing the fifth variable speed hydropower unit. Currently, four fixed speed hydropower units are installed in Kruonis PSHP but the initial PSHP's project provides the possibility to instal additional four units. Therefore, the current infrastructure of Kruonis PSHP is fully adapted to the new hydropower unit.
It is estimated that the fifth hydropower unit of Kruonis PSHP would be more efficient and flexible than the old ones. According to the current estimations, the hydropower unit would be able to operate at the capacity of 70–225 MW in pump mode and 45–225 MW in the generator mode. The unit’s cycle efficiency ratio would reach up to 80%, i.e. 6 percentage points more than that of the existing units.
Advantages
Under the current market conditions, the existing 900 MW capacity of the Kruonis PSHP is fully sufficient, however, its further development is needed to ensure Lithuania's energy independence and competitiveness by maintaining sufficient and reliable local power generation capacities, capable of balancing the growing electricity generation from intermittent sources. A new, more flexible and efficient unit would enable the company to address power imbalances in a more flexible and in real-time.
The expansion of the Kruonis PSHP unit is being analyzed considering the following estimated future market trends:
Investments
Starting from 2013, the project was included in the list of Projects of Common Interest of the European Union (EU), together with other energy infrastructure projects of regional importance thus obtaining possibilities to acquire EU financial support from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Fund.
In order to accelerate the implementation of the project, the Company applied for CEF financing for several feasibility studies:
Project No. 4.7-0016-LT-S-M-17 – “Evaluation of technical condition of the infrastructure and penstock site for the Kruonis PSPP Expansion”.
Project No. 4.7-0005-LT-S-M-19 - "Evaluation of different technological solutions for the extension of Kruonis HPSPP and socioeconomic analysis".
Completed works
About 75% of all the needed construction works have been completed when constructing the existing infrastructure of Kruonis PSHP and building the first four hydropower units.
A large part of the preparatory works for the Kruonis PSHP development project has been completed, such as the feasibility study, environmental assessment, and technical specifications. The estimated duration of the project's implementation would be four to five years.
In 2019, the European Commission approved a partial funding for studies of the pole field and infrastructure (Project No. 4.7-0016-LT-S-M-17). The study is aimed at assessing whether the current state of the pole field on which the new penstock is to be constructed meets all technical requirements. This study is a step further in order to fully prepare for the possible implementation of the extension project of the power plant. The research was completed on IIIrd Quarter 2019. More information regarding the results of the study can be accessed here (in Lithuanian only).
In 2019, the European Commission approved the partial funding for the implementation of the technological feasibility study and the socioeconomic analysis of the fifth unit of Kruonis PSHP (Project No. 4.7-0005-LT-S-M-19). It aims to determine the best technological solution to be installed in Kruonis power plant as well as to determine the socioeconomic value generated by such installation. Such feasibility study has been completed in April 2020. More information regarding the results of the study can be accessed here (in Lithuanian only).
In the National Energy Independence Strategy approved by the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania on 21 June 2018, the development of Kruonis PSHP was included in the list of tasks of major importance in the electricity sector.
The project is implemented by: AB Ignitis Gamyba
Project sponsor: UAB Ignitis Group
Funding sources: loans from commercial banks, EU Structural Funds, export credit agencies, AB Ignitis Gamyba own funds, release of green bonds
Technical Indicators: additional up to 225 MW in the existing 900 MW power plant, expanding its capacity to 1125 MW
Technology: flexible variable speed hydropower unit
Capacity in the pump mode: 70–225 MW
Capacity in the generator mode: 45–225 MW
Cycle efficiency ratio: up to 80 percent
For further inquiries: gamyba@ignitis.lt