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Lithuanian power plant phases out ageing reactor 

Photo: Panevezia Energia
Technicians connect the last fittings to the power plant's combined cycle system.
The threat of another Chernobyl motivated Denmark and the EU to help Lithuania build an efficient, combined cycle power station. COWI oversaw production from start to finish.
Thousands of residents in central Lithuania could take a breath of fresh air when the Panavezys regional power plant entered service in June 2008.

The natural gas-powered facility enabled Lithuanian energy officials to phase out inefficient fuel oil-fired facilities as well as an ageing nuclear reactor which was based on the same technology as Chernobyl.

The facility’s construction, which COWI oversaw, represents a breakthrough in securing relatively clean energy for the Baltic region, according to Morten Skovgaard Olsen, former project manager at the Danish Environmental Protection Agency.

Enlightened self-interestOlsen explains that after the Soviet Union’s collapse in the 1990s, Denmark recognised that it was in Danish interests to help the newly formed Baltic democracies revamp their energy sectors. Long-term goals included reducing air pollution and minimising the risk of a new Chernobyl.

Together with Lithuanian officials, an energy strategy which promoted efficient heat and electricity production was drawn up with financial support from the Danish Energy Agency. The power plant in Panavezys represents the culmination of this strategy, according to Olsen.

“It’s a concrete demonstration of how energy production can be efficient.”

Reduced emissionsWith Panavezys, Lithuania has a safe, natural gas-powered facility that produces 33.2 Mw of electricity and 32.3 Mw of heat energy.

The power station uses combined cycle energy technology to secure an impressive 85.1 per cent efficiency rating. In comparison, conventional power plants typically achieve a mere 50 per cent energy efficiency.

Significant environmental benefits are also achieved including an annual reduction of 235,000 tons in CO2 emissions and 5500 tons of SO2 emissions.

From the ground upCOWI was involved in all aspects of the project from initial planning, drawing up the conceptual design for Panavezys to preparing tender documents and providing financial and legal assistance.

In June, COWI’s chief project mananger, Else Bernsen, joined project manager Leon Lerski and Anders Hasselager from the Danish Energy Agency, to celebrate when the red button at the Panavezys power station was pushed and heat and electricity began flowing to homes and businesses.

Navigating the public sectorFor Bernsen, who followed the project from its early beginnings, the task of navigating Lithuania’s evolving public sector in the 1990s proved as great a challenge as the project’s technical aspects such as calculating the output needed to compensate for the nuclear reactor’s closure.

"It's been an experience to see the whole process from start to finish," she says. “It’s been really fun to see different groups work together.”

Published: 12.09.2008

Uzi Frank
uzif@cowi.com

Baltic energy policy 

Lithuania has taken the lead in eastern Europe by developing efficient power plants.

  • The power plant in Panavezys made it possible for Lithuania to phase out an ageing nuclear power plant in Ignalina, which was based on the same technology as Chernobyl.
  • The new power plant uses natural gas to produce 33.2 MW of electricity and 32.3 MW of heat.
  • Engineers have measured Panavezys's efficiency rating at 85.1 per cent.
  • The power plant cost a total of EUR 37.6 million.

LAST UPDATED: 06.05.2010