In Polaniec (Poland), GDF SUEZ opened its Green Unit biomass unit, the world's largest electric power producing unit fed entirely with biomass (by-products from tree farms and agriculture). The plant bears witness to the Group's determination to develop renewable energies in Poland and throughout Europe.

Gérard Mestrallet, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GDF SUEZ, and Jean-François Cirelli, Vice-Chairman and Director in charge of Energy Europe, traveled to Poland for the opening of the Polaniec Green Unit.

The Green Unit plant, which has a capacity of 205 MW, is the first of the very large scale 100% biomass units to operate with a mix of by-products from tree farms (80%) and agriculture (20%). This unit supplies the equivalent of the annual electric power consumption of 600,000 homes, and avoids 1.2 million metric tons of CO2 emissions every year(1). With this power station, the Group reinforces its position in renewable energies in Poland, and is now the industry leader, with capacities of:

  • 102 MW in land-based wind power,
  • 205 MW in biomass.

The Group holds top positions in Europe. Indeed, GDF SUEZ is the:

  • Number two hydroelectric operator in France,
  • Number one wind energy operator in France and Belgium, number two in Portugal,
  • Number one biomass operator in Poland.

GDF SUEZ has developed unique expertise in generating renewable electricity worldwide. Operating in all renewable energy technologies, the Group's renewable power plants account for 18% of its total electricity installed capacity.

(1) in comparison with equivalent coal-based production

"Green Unit", the future biomass power plant of Polaniec

In Polaniec, GDF SUEZ completed the construction of 'Green Unit', the largest 100% biomass power plant in the world, scheduled to be operational by the end o...

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