Alstom SA has signed contracts worth approximately EUR 1.25 billion with Polimex, Rafako and Mostostal Warsawa, members of the consortium in charge of the supply of two 900 MW units to major Polish utility PGE (Polska Grupa Energetyczna). This project concerns the units 5 and 6 for a new ultra- supercritical (USC) coal-fired power plant in Opole, south-western Poland. Once operational, it will be the country' large coal-fueled facility, and will supply electricity to the equivalent of two million homes.

Unit 5 is due to enter commercial operation in 2018 and unit 6 in 2019. Alstom's scope includes the provision of its proprietary USC technology including the supply of USC boiler islands, the steam turbine generator islands including the turbine hall equipment, the air quality control systems as well as some Balance of Plant systems. Alstom will be responsible for overall project management and general design for this part, and also support the consortium members in their scope of work and contribute to the construction and commissioning of the plants. The use of ultra-supercritical technology, which allows producing higher electrical output while burning less coal, will enable PGE to reduce its environmental impact and meet regulatory requirements.

This is particularly important in Poland, where around 90% of fuel for electricity generation is coal or lignite.