We realise that mining fossil fuels, producing and distributing electricity and heat as well as any human activity naturally interfere with the environment. We carry out economic activities in accordance with existing legal regulations and other requirements, including environmental protection norms. And we are trying to be more and more effective...

Protection of air

By developing the cogeneration segment, we are significantly contributing to improving the quality of air in cities and actively combating smog. Thermal energy for heating is produced not in household furnaces but instead in high-efficiency CHP plants equipped with efficient systems for denitration, desulphurisation and particulate matter filtering. In addition we produce electricity.

Consistent investment in our generation assets results in their environmental footprint being minimised. By using best available technologies, we strive for further improvement.

In 2016, we lowered SO₂ emissions by 48%, NO_x by 17% and particulate matter by 29%. However, this is only a small part of the work we have done in the past dozen or so years intended to change for the better. In 1989-2016, PGE GiEK (applies to the following plants: Bełchatów, Opole, Turów and Dolna Odra) reduced emissions as follows: SO₂ by 94%, NO_x by 60 %, particulate matter by 99%. 

From January 1, 2016, PGE GiEK S.A. installations operate in line with emission standards set out in the IED Directive or use the derogation mechanisms provided therein. Derogation is intended to give existing installations additional time to technically adapt to the more rigorous emission requirements specified in the IED or exempt them from the requirement to observe these if modernising such a facility would be unjustified due to a limited expected life-cycle. Nonetheless, regardless of the permissible norms, we strive to meet these higher standards.

Emissions in 2016 vs permissible norms

Our on-going mega investments are yet another leap towards a better quality of air. They are being constructed to world-class technological standards and they will be cleaner.

Estimated environmental effects of our new power units in comparison with units currently in operation

Maximum values guaranteed in contractor agreements were used for new units.

Emissions of NO_x, SO_x and other significant elements emitted into the air by PGE GiEK S.A. 

Management of waste and by-products

The generation of waste is an unavoidable consequence of producing electricity and heat in conventional plants using fossil fuels and biomass. We strive to maximally re-use waste - to the benefit of the environment and the economics of our production.

In the process of combustion and treatment of flue gas several types of waste are created: ash-slug mixtures from wet discharge of combustion waste, mixtures of fly ash and solid waste from calcium methods of desulphurisation, fly ash from coal, slug, ash from biomass firing and co-firing, sands from fluidised beds, micro-spheres.

Waste from burning lignite constitutes over 91% of overall combustion waste. Specific properties of ashes from firing lignite and a high volatility of their properties limit the potential for economic use of these substances. This makes it necessary to deposit them at storage sites and incur related costs (exploitation and environmental fees) or store them by filling adversely affected land.

Ashes and slugs from hard coal combustion have wide economic applications. This is due to their properties which allow a wide range of use in the cement, construction or road-building industries.

Synthetic gypsum produced in flue gas treatment processes features very good physiochemical properties thanks to which its properties are comparable to natural gypsum.

In 2016, over 2 million tonnes of post-reaction gypsum was created at PGE GiEK S.A. installations, of which nearly 60% as a by-product that was then used in the construction industry to produce plasterboard and construction fillers. This product is also used in the cement industry.

PGE consistently improves and expands the scale of usage for combustion waste, conducts research and seeks new applications in line with sustainable development rules. These actions are aligned with EU policies directed at re-using waste, protecting natural resources and minimising adverse impact on the environment, including through limiting the quantities of waste deposited at storage sites. 

Total weight of waste by type and management method at PGE GiEK S.A. [tonnes]

Total weight of waste by type and management method at PGE EO S.A. [tonnes]

Total weight of waste by type and management method at PGE Dystrybucja S.A. [tonnes]

Management of water and waste water

We use water resources responsibly, in full compliance with the relevant integrated permits and water-law permits. We continuously conduct monitoring for quantity and quality of water collected and waste water discharged, with reports being submitted to the relevant Voivodship Environmental Protection Inspectorates.

For technological purposes, we use water from surface sources, which is then subject to purification and treatment. In order to limit the use of raw water, closed-end circuits are used, and technological water and waste water is re-used in other processes. Waste water arising in plant and CHP plant production activities is subject to purification, including multi-step purification, and is later discharged to surface water or transferred to municipal companies. Modern waste water treatment systems are an element of protecting the quality of water. The company's branches also use passive protections intended to protect groundwater, e.g. against pollution caused by leaks of oils or chemicals or run-off from coal storage sites.

Lignite exploitation in open-pit mines is done at PGE GiEK S.A.'s lignite mines - Bełchatów and Turów, and requires prior rock-mass de-watering, which has significant impact on hydro-geological conditions and results in changes in hydrodynamics. Water management at lignite mines is related to de-watering both underground and on the surface. Water from excavations is channelled to field settling tanks the aim of which is final purification of water by way of natural sedimentation of suspensions, aided by a plant filter. After purification, such water is at least class II in terms of quality. 

In our hydroelectricity activities, we are obligated to the following:

• maintenance of river beds,
• participation in costs incurred by river administrators,
• participation in fish introduction costs as compensation for making it more difficult for fish to migrate as a result of barrages being placed in water,
• assurance of safe conditions: storage, transport and utilisation of waste in order to meet requirements for the protection of the natural environment and waters. 

We are continuously monitoring and actively participating in water management development programmes, covering the maintenance of river beds and reservoirs The Company works with the Environment Ministry, Regional Water Management Authorities, National Environment Protection Fund and other entities involved in water management, environmental protection and "clean energy." These programmes make it possible to more effectively utilise waterways' energy potential and they reduce the negative impact of water management structures, such as hydroelectricity plants, on the natural environment. 

Overall volume of waste water by quality and destination [m3] 

Mitigation of noise emissions and electromagnetic field emissions

Permissible noise emission levels for each installation are specified in relevant permits, mainly integrated permits.

Noise emission measurements are performed every two years or ad hoc upon request or complaint by external entities. Noise emission measurements taken in 2016 at power plants and heat-and-power plants did not show significant breaches of permissible noise emission levels. Slight breaches of noise emission limits (approx. 1.8 dB at night) were recorded in the fourth quarter of 2016 at lignite mine Bełchatów.

All investment activities are conducted in a way that ensures that their effects include a maximum possible level of mitigation of negative environmental impact by facilities owned by the company. The construction of new power facilities or modernisation of existing ones is preceded by obtaining a decision on environmental conditions for the undertaking, issued by an environmental protection authority.

We are obligated to notify its installations emitting electromagnetic fields. Such notifications are required in the case of power stations and overhead power lines with nominal voltage of at least 110kV as well as radio communication, radio navigation and radio location installations (of which the equivalent isotope radiation output is at least 15W), which emit electromagnetic fields with frequencies between 30kHz and 300GHz. New or modernised installations operated by PGE Dystrybucja S.A. are continuously notified to environment protection authorities relevant to the emission location.

Reclamation of adversely transformed land 

Our pro-ecological activities are not directed just at minimising present effects. We think ahead. We care about future generations.

Mining lignite in open-pit mines causes large-scale transformation of land surface, which in turn is a factor causing changes in the natural environment, especially as regards landscape. The scope and size of these changes are dependent on both the applied mining technology and the sensitivity of specific components of the environment.

Post-mining areas that are no longer necessary for deposit mining and storing overburden are subject to on-going reclamation during the entire period of mining activity. Reclamation consists of returning useful and natural values of land (as close to natural as possible). Land reclamation is performed through technical reclamation (land shaping and construction of essential technical infrastructure) and biological reclamation (ground preparations, introduction and maintenance of plants). Large-scale reclamations are mainly being conducted within the following open-pit lignite mines: KWB Turów and KWB Bełchatów.

Existing lignite mining activity is the best proof that it does not always go along with the devastation of surface (earth) and water relations because these are of a temporary nature and do not significantly harm the basic processes of biological life. Large-scale production entails substantial obligations towards the natural environment. PGE’s sustainable development strategy is based around efforts to minimise the environmental footprint. Years of experience and the implementation of innovative and effective eco-friendly technological solutions allows to significantly mitigate the effects of lignite mining. Reclamations conducted thus far have given rise to vast forest and water complexes where many animal and plant species are present.

Eventually, once mining operations are completed, internal heaps at the Bełchatów, Szczerców and Turów fields will be reclaimed as forest areas, while mining excavations will be turned into water reservoirs (with forested coastal areas). Additionally, at the Szczerców field the external heap will be turned into a mix of forest, recreational and sport, agricultural and economic areas.

Góra Kamieńsk is a live example of our activity, a mountain which was created from 1.4 billion m³ of overburden collected from open-pit excavations at the mine Bełchatów. Once reclamation work and tree planting are completed, the artificially formed hill is an attractive location for all-year-round active leisure for the region's residents. 

Protection of biodiversity

Analysis of surroundings and the natural environment is an integral part of all our investments.

Elektrownia Bełchatów has been conducting forest monitoring in its impact areas for over a dozen years. In the course of research conducted as part of a project to modernise units it was concluded that the on-going exploitation activities have a marginal impact on the biodiversity of terrains surrounding the plant and that the planned installations will further limit its impact on the flora and fauna. Researchers working at Elektrownia Turów came to similar conclusions.

We are also undertaking activities intended to protect birds from electrocution. We build isolated lines and special structures on suspension towers.

An example of our care for biodiversity is a project by PGE Dystrybucja aiming to protect the white stork. Metal structures are built in areas where the company operates to raise nests above the energy lines. So far, we have installed over 21 000 such structures. According to our experience, these efforts are effective - birds nest on these platforms in over 90% of the cases.

In its wind farms, PGE Energia Odnawialna conducts monitoring of birds and bats. The aim is to determine the actual impact of turbines on these animals. For this purpose we use special structures on towers and wind turbines that allow building nests. We also use special marking on the ends of the blades, making it possible for birds to see them.

The "Forest full of energy" project is an example of ideas for revitalising terrains in which we operate. This project is PGE Dystrybucja's own ecological campaign, being implemented in cooperation with Regional Directorates of National Forests. The initiative is intended to offset necessary tree logging conducted during works on energy networks.

In accordance with environmental protection requirements, fish passes are installed at newly-built and existing facilities so that fish can migrate. These works in 2016 included:

• handover of a fish pass at the Żagań II barrage,
• commencement of construction of a fish pass at the Krzywaniec barrage.

Green Office

Our eco-friendly activity is not limited to industrial facilities. We care about this in all of our offices in Poland, knowing how important it is to property shape attitudes amongst our employees, respect for the natural environment and caring for the company's property, which is our common good.

The four largest companies in PGE Group already have the independent Green Office certificate.Zawartość strony This is a nationwide recognition awarded to companies that introduce eco-friendly solutions in their office buildings, e.g. monitoring paper consumption, sorting rubbish, reducing water, heat and electricity consumption, educating employees and stakeholders, promoting eco-friendly attitudes. All this is intended to maximally reduce negative impact on the environment.

Why is the Green Office certificate so important to us? We want to enhance our image as that of a company that is socially responsible, and the certificate awarded by the Partnership for Environment Foundation for us is a sort of declaration that we will be consistently reducing our negative impact on the environment.

Amount of cash penalties and total number of non-financial sanctions for failure to observe environmental protection laws and regulations at PGE GiEK S.A.