Electricity Generation

The Kruonis pumped storage hydroelectric power plant (PSHP) owned by Ignitis Gamyba is the only power plant of such type in the Baltic states, located in the north of the town of Kruonis, in the Kaišiadoriai district. PSHPs are considered as new-generation energy objects. The purpose of the PSHP is to balance the production and consumption of electricity as well as to prevent and eliminate failures in the energy system. The PSHP also serves as Lithuania's secondary power reserve.

When the load of the energy system is low and there is an excess of cheap energy (for example, at night), PSHP units start to operate in the pump mode, lifting the water from Kaunas Reservoir up to the artificial 303 ha upper reservoir which is 100 m above the water level of Kaunas Reservoir. At day time, when the energy demand increases, the PSHP can work as a usual hydroelectric power plant. It is important that PSHP units can provide secondary reserve service in case of systemic failures, connecting to the grid in full capacity in less than 2 minutes and ready to be automatically activated by the system’s emergency automation to compensate the power deficit. Furthermore, PSHP is able to manage the imbalances in the system, regulating the voltage and frequency, and can restart operations after a systemic failure (black start).

Technical parameters:

• Capacity: 900 MW; 4 units, 225 MW each.
• Cycle efficiency ratio – 0.74.
• Capacity in generator mode – 225 MW.
• Capacity in pump mode – 200 MW.
  
  All in all, 0.55 TWh of electricity produced by the PSHP was sold in 2017.

The Kaunas HPP owned by Ignitis Gamyba is the largest power plant in Lithuania that uses renewable energy sources. Currently, it produces around 4% of electricity consumed in Lithuania, which is more than 40% of all the energy generated in the country from renewable energy sources. Despite lower capacity, the Kaunas HPP plays an important role in ensuring the stability of the Lithuanian energy system.

In 2010, a reconstruction of the Kaunas HPP was completed, resulting in increased reliability and efficiency of the power plant, reduced maintenance costs and the highest standards of operations' and personnel safety in accordance with the EU directives. The latest technology installed during the reconstruction ensures a successful launching of the hydropower units in the event of a total failure in the country's energy system (black out). In case of a total accident, not only the Kaunas HPP, but also the Kruonis PSHP would be able to restart operations.

HPP’s technical indicators:

• Capacity: 100.8 MW; 4 units, 25.2 MW each.
• The largest water level rise – 24.6 m, pressure front length – about 1.5 km, average perennial flow – 259 m³/s, water permeability under normal conditions – 3030 m³/s. 
• The generator rotates 4 jet turbines with turnable blades. Up to 158 m³/s of water flows through each turbine (at full capacity), with 632 m³/s of water flowing through all the turbines. 
  
  All in all, 0.46 TWh of electricity produced by the Kaunas HPP was sold in 2017.

In April 2018, Ignitis Gamyba took over Vilnius Power Plant-3 (PP-3) from its main shareholder – Ignitis Group. In 2015, the power plant was put into conservation mode since the costs of its operations were too high and not competitive with the market prices.

In 2018, a study was carried out, evaluating possible alternatives of the use of Vilnius Power Plant-3 complex. In the short term, it was decided to optimise the costs of operation by reducing the costs of maintenance and management of the complex. Various alternative options for further use and development of this power plant are under consideration.