Metso will convert a coal fired boiler to biomass fired Bubbling Fluidized Bed (BFB) boiler to Elektrocieplownia Bialystok S.A's combined heat and power (CHP) plant in Bialystok, Poland. The total value of the order is approximately EUR 20 million.
The new environmental supportive boiler system will cut the power plant's CO2 emissions significantly. The CHP plant of 166 MWe and 460 MWth will partly replace the coal fuel supply with biomass fuel, primarily from forest and agro based residues.
The cooperation between EC Bialystok and Metso emphizises Metso's leader position as a full scope supplier of bioenergy solutions. Since 2000, Metso has in total received 7 biomass boiler conversions orders in Poland, and the collaboration with EC Bialystok started in 2008 when Metso carried out a similar biomass boiler project.
"Poland is one of the largest countries in Europe to have such a high dependence on energy deriving from coal use to meet national electricity needs. This is an important incentive for us to reduce future CO2 emissions and produce more green electricity, and with Metso technology which include boiler modifications and an automation system to control and monitor emissions we are certain to accomplish our goal", states Mr. Andrzej Schroeder, President of Elektrocieplownia Bialystok S.A
"We are really pleased to once again cooperate with Metso who has proven service and product expertise in conversions and existing power plants. We have created the project together with Metso since 2009, and we have together executed various successful agrofuel tests for this investment", states Krzysztof Sadowski, Strategy & Development Director of Elektrocieplownia Bialystok S.A.
Despite of the strong green energy incentives, the renewable energy share in Poland is only 7,5% (2010), compared to EU's set target of 20% by 2020. Approximately 80% of the current energy boilers, turbines and generators installed in Polish power plants are over 20 years old. In order to meet the strict EU environmental requirements, modernization of existing installations is necessary. The CHP plant will be in operation as from December 2012. The order is included in the Energy and Environmental Technology's second quarter 2011 orders received.
The delivery scope includes boiler modifications, pressure parts, fuel yard expansion to enable a larger amount of biomass supply for fuel use, electrification and automation systems to control and monitor emissions. Several tests with agrofuels have been executed successfully, prior to the project execution.
Elektrocieplownia Bialystok is part of ENEA Group, one of Poland's largest power sector groups. The Group's basic operations are generation and distribution of electricity.
