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Cooperation in the area of investments related to the improvement of water retention and the development of renewable and nuclear energy
On January 26, 2023 in Poznań ZE PAK SA, Poznań University of Life Sciences and Wody Polskie signed a letter of intent regarding cooperation in the field of conducting research and natural analyses as well as technical solutions aimed at improving the condition of the environment in Konin-Turek county energy basin with particular emphasis taking into account new investments of ZE PAK SA into renewable and nuclear energy.
In order to prevent adverse climate changes, which are documented by the results of scientific research, and to ensure energy security, it is necessary to carry out a properly prepared energy transformation. The answer to such a challenge is the development of nuclear energy and support for obtaining energy from renewable sources.
The agreement, which was signed in Poznań, aims at establishing cooperation for the ongoing energy transformation at ZE PAK SA using the substantive and technical potential of the signatories of the letter in the field of environmental and technical research of the planned investments. In particular, joint actions are to be taken in the field of assessment of the location of the nuclear power plant, reconstruction of water resources in eastern Wielkopolska, as well as ongoing revitalization of mining and industrial areas. The area of cooperation will include e.g. joint actions towards:
- shaping new ecosystems in degraded and devastated areas;
- reconstruction of the water resources of eastern Wielkopolska and the incorporation of the post-mining excavations of ZE PAK SA into the existing hydrographic network, which will contribute to the improvement of water relations in the region and provide a new function (retention and flood protection) for the created post-mining reservoirs;
- assessment of the possibility of locating the nuclear power plant in Pątnów;
- the use of post-mining areas for the production of energy from renewable sources.
„Thanks to the cooperation of Wody Polskie with ZE PAK SA and Poznań University of Life Sciences, it will be possible to develop the most convenient solutions that will allow for the implementation of activities aimed at improving water conditions in the area with the greatest water deficit in the country, many government programs aimed at increasing water retention in Poland”- says Krzysztof Woś, president of Wody Polskie.
„Preliminary estimates show that in the analysed area we should improve this indicator by nearly 1 billion m3, which will make it possible to meet the current and future water needs of the economy and energy sector in central-western Poland” – adds the President of Wody Polskie.
The natural substantive partner of this project was Poznań University of Life Sciences. „The University has a modern scientific and didactic base, where innovative research is conducted in the field of broadly understood environmental engineering, and above all: hydrology, hydropedology, hydrotechnics, water management, geotechnics, construction, mechanics, renewable energy, spatial planning, landscape architecture, valorisation of elements of animate and inanimate nature, ecology, revitalization of post-industrial areas, agricultural and forest land development, climatology, as well as assessment and monitoring of investment impact on the environment. Also thanks to the excellent and unique equipment of many units with modern generation equipment, it is possible for our University to conduct projects in cooperation with the domestic and foreign environment” – explains prof. dr hab. Krzysztof Szoszkiewicz, Rector of UPP.
„Actions taken by ZE PAK SA as part of the energy transformation are the most ambitious undertaking of this type in Poland. A significant change in the Company's production profile and a definitive abandonment of the plans for further exploitation of open-cast mines entails the need to perform a number of environmental and technical tests - both for the purposes of new energy generation sources and for the cleaning of land after coal operations have ended. ZE PAK SA’s agreement with the University of Life Sciences in Poznań and National Water Holding Wody Polskie guarantees the implementation of the energy transformation of our region, which is safe for people and the environment, especially in terms of rebuilding water relations and land reclamation, as well as facing the environmental challenge of the giant challenge of the construction of a nuclear power plant in Pątnów” – comments the president of ZE PAK SA Piotr Woźny.
The implementation of the presented objectives is to bring benefits to the widest possible group of stakeholders, with particular emphasis on Poland's water and energy security. The actions taken are in line with the objectives and recommendations regarding the reduction of the negative impact on the environment, the development of alternative fuels and the improvement of energy efficiency, which have been set out in documents at the national and EU level.
