We build modernity based on 100-year-long tradition
Jaworzno power generation tradition dates back to the 19th century. In 1898, two direct current generators of the total installed power amounting to 320 kW were assembled near the Jaworzno Miner’s Guild ‘Rudolf’ Coal Pit. This enabled the lighting of the coal mines and the neighboring houses.
Five years later, in 1903, a new boiler house was erected equipped with two drum boilers and the total installed capacity was increased by 380 kW. From 1911 to 1914, successive power generators were assembled to increase the capacity.
In 1930, electricity generated in Jaworzno was supplied to, apart from Jaworzno, Krakow, Olkusz County and seven Chrzanow county boroughs.
Period from 1948 to 1959 witnessed intensive modernization carried out in Jaworzno Power Plant. In 1959, the power plant (later called Power Plant I) reached installed capacity totaling 157 MW. At that time, Jaworzno II Power Plant was under construction. It was a flagship investment project of the 6-year plan applying the technological solutions and facilities manufactured in the Soviet Union. Two first turbine sets were put into operation on July 19, 1953. That dates marks the end of the first stage of the power plant construction. Three years later ‘the Two’ reached the installed capacity of 300 MW. The seventh turbine set was assembled in 1962 which enlarged the plant capacity to 350 MW.
Both power plants operated as independent companies until 1972 when they were joined to set up the Jaworzno Power Plant Complex. In the very same year, construction of yet another power plant was commenced in Jaworzno – a modern Jaworzno III Power Plant of the installed capacity of 1200 MW. The first synchronization of the power plant first power unit was carried out on December 10, 1976 and in the following years five power units were put into operation. The investment project was completed in 1979.
As a result of restructuring activities a company wholly owned by the State Treasury was set up in 1995 under the name Jaworzno III Power Plant Spółka Akcyjna. The company was composed of all Jaworzno power plants.
1998 will always be a significant date for Jaworzno power generation engineering as that year Power Plant I was put out of operation. Obsolete company which did not meet environmental norms made way its younger successors distinguishing itself with a 100-year-long contribution to our today’s excellence.
A decade of changes
1990s were times of great modernizations and new investment projects. Jaworzno III Power Plant wastewater treatment plant, electrostatic precipitators were modernized, ash dry pickup installation was constructed, landfill site was partially reclaimed, low emission burners were assembled in order to decrease the nitrogen oxide emission. Pollutant emission monitoring system was also fitted. Flue gas desulphurizing installation was the most significant pro-ecological investment project. Based on a wet limestone and gypsum method, the installation purifies flue gases from four power units.
Modernization program regarding basic Jaworzno III Power Plant generation facilities, particularly turbines, generators and transformers, was initiated in 1997. Operation of power unit was automated with the application of the Procontrol system used for control and visualization.
Power Plant II also underwent substantial transformation. Project called ‘Power Plant II Modernization into Municipal Heat and Power Plant’ was commenced. The basic objective of this task was to take over the role of the heat source for the city from Power Plant I. two new CFB compact boilers of the efficiency of 260 tons of steam per hour each replaced three old boilers. Two 70 MWe and 115 MWt each heating and condensing turbine sets were put into operation in 1998. The investment and modernization undertaking led to the creation of one of the most modern heat and power plants in Poland.
On May 24, 2000, together with other four power plants, we signed the certificate of incorporation of Południowy Koncern Energetyczny SA. After one year of PKE SA business activity, the company comprised eight power plants and heat and power plants. The entire Capital Group was composed of 46 companies, and the main scope of the company activity included, apart from electrical energy generation, transmission and distribution of electrical energy as well. Since May, 2007, PKE SA has been a part of TAURON Polska Energia SA Capital Group.
The establishment of PKE SA brought forward the necessity to hand over the management competences from the power plants to the company Head Office. These concern, among others, allocating means (resources) to realize the environmental policy assumed by our Power Plant and to achieve the planned environmental goals. Partially, the duties and competences in the areas related to the environment management system, such as fuel purchasing, carbon dioxide emission settlement are also within the competences of PKE SA Head Office. Yet, the main responsibility with regard to the majority of environmental issues and aspects falls within the cognizance of Jaworzno III Power Plant.
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