Ignitis Group says it will increase the capacity of Kruon’s 900 MW pumped power plant by another 110 MW. It states that the expansion project will be completed by the end of 2026.
“The scope of the new contracted unit is wider in production mode compared to the previously planned unit starting from 0 MW instead of 44 MW and in pump operation it can draw up to 59 MW, while the previously planned unit had a minimum threshold of 77 MW,” it said in a statement.
Ignitis awarded the aforementioned contract for the construction of the fifth unit to German hydropower specialist Voigt Group, which is expected to complete the project’s expansion initiative by the end of 2026.
“The wider range of parameters of the 5th unit of the Kruoni power plant significantly contributes to the region’s energy self-sufficiency, helps to ensure the development of renewable energy sources and the reliability of the energy system,” the company said.
The pumped hydropower plant works together with the Kaunas hydropower plant, which has a capacity of 101 MW and is able to cover about 3% of Lithuania’s electricity needs.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the installed capacity of renewable energy in the Baltic countries at the end of 2022 was 1,617 MW. Of this capacity, 814 MW of wind power and 564 MW of solar electricity. It is still heavily dependent on energy imports. The plan for energy independence by 2050 anticipates the large-scale introduction of renewable energy sources.
