OREANDA-NEWS. August 25, 2010. By decision, enforced by the Government, the Plan for Implementation of the National Energy Strategy 2008 - 2012 was amended with a new measure – the installation of a new – fifth hydro unit of Kruonis pumped storage plant (PSP). For the implementation of this measure is responsible Lietuvos Energija.

It is planned that the generator‘s capacity will reach up to 250 MW. The actual capacity of the hydro unit will be specified upon approval of the general contractor‘s project. The contract with the General Contractor, responsible for both the design and implementation of the hydro unit should be signed in March of next year", - said Mr. Aloyzas Koryzna, Chief Executive Officer of Lietuvos Energija According to him, an open tender for the selection of the general contractor is planned to be announced in late fall and it is expected to receive 5-6 proposals. 

The fifth hydro unit, to commence its operation in 2014, will allow a rapid shifting of the plant's capacity: to increase the range of the system‘s regulation capacities and to reliably regulate the variation of the wind park balance, arising from the shifting mode of their generation.  In the event of disconnection of cross-border electricity lines, Unit 5 of Kruonis PSP would increase the capacity of Kruonis PSP from 900 MW to nearly 1150 MW and would ensure bigger capacity of electricity supply.

The economic hydro unit of new technology will allow the reduction control and maintenance expenses and prolong the lifetime of the currently functioning Kruonis PSP units.

Subsequent to closure of Ignalina NPP, from January of this year until now, compared with the respective period of last year, Kruonis NPP generated 30 per cent more electricity. In order to ensure the compliance with the European standards of four currently operated Kruonis PSP units with 225 MW each, their modernization work is gradually performed.  Every year the regulation system of one unit turbine is renovated.

In order to concentrate electricity generation activity in a single company - Lietuvos Energija and ensure the energy independence of Lithuania, alongside Kruonis HPP and Kaunas hydro power plant, which are currently owned by the company, Lietuvos Elektrine will also be acquired.

These changes are performed by implementing the plan of electricity sector changes, foreseeing the creation of four functional blocks (transmission, generation, distribution and maintenance). The Reorganization is performed in order to ensure that the model of the Lithuanian energy sector activity complies with the National energy strategy, requirements of the Third Energy Package of the EU and creates conditions for integration of the Lithuanian electric energy system into the European Union market and ensures financing of the commenced strategic energy projects.