On 11 February, PKE’s Jaworzno III Power Plant was visited by the Minister of Regional Development, Mrs Elżbieta Bieńkowska. The government representative made a tour around the power plant, visited our strategic projects and attended the press conference held at the premises of the plant.

Apart tom the Minister, the conference was attended by the President of PKE Jan Kurp, Marshall of the Voivodship of Silesia Bogusław Śmigielski, President of Jaworzno Paweł Silbert and a Member of Parliament Wojciech Saługa.

The meeting provided an opportunity to present pro-ecological investments of the Company made in Jaworzno III Power Plant – upgrade and development of flue gas desulphurization installations and the construction of a slag yard. The press were also interested in the investment the Company is going to launch in cooperation with Zakłady Azotowe Kędzierzyn-Koźle, white certificates as well as potential location of PKE’s new power units.

At present, the largest project funded with aid measures at Jaworzno III power plant is the construction of a third line of flue gas desulphurization installation. The installation works have been continuing since April 2007 and are expected to finish in the middle of this year. Upgrade of flue gas desulphurization installations in Jaworzno is an element of the Company’s strategy and one of PKE’s most vital undertakings targeted at compliance with the EU's stringent environmental standards. The system is to be highly efficient, with 2 million Nm3/h and desulphurization rate exceeding 95%.

The development of flue gas desulphurization installations is aimed at pollution reduction through implementation of safe and environmentally friendly technologies. The beginning of 2008 saw the commencement of another environmentally friendly project in Jaworzno i.e. slag storage in the vicinity of ash retention reservoirs. New yard will facilitate decommissioning of the present storage location (in Mysłowice - Dziećkowice), elimination of secondary dusts, reduction and consequent liquidation of supernatant water penetration to surface and ground waters.

PKE has already announced further pro-ecological actions and projects and intends to apply for EU funds. A lot of hope is laid in the Operational Programme - Infrastructure and Environment, which is one of the largest undertakings of this kind in the history of EU and which is targeted at financing large investment projects, including ventures in the energy sector (in particular, the ones related to environmental protection). „PKE is going to apply for the largest possible allocation of funds. It is a great chance for us and we must take it”, said Jan Kurp, the President of the Company, during the conference.

MAGDALENA SKRZYPIEC