Doosan Škoda Power Achieves a Hattrick at Opatovice Power Plant: Pilsen-based Manufacturer to Supply Third Turbine for Cogeneration Unit Modernization

Doosan Škoda Power has been awarded the contract for the modernization of Unit 6 at Opatovice Power Plant. This achievement builds upon two recent successful deliveries at the site, further contributing to Opatovice Power Plant's extensive decarbonization transformation. “I am proud that we have succeeded for the third time – following the successful projects for Units TG5 and TG3, we have now also secured TG6,” said Tomáš Bayer, Area Sales Director for Europe at Doosan Škoda Power. “Thanks to this, the entire fleet of existing modernized Opatovice steam turbines will now bear the Doosan Škoda Power brand.” The Pilsen-based manufacturer and supplier of steam turbines and components for power generation plants was first awarded the contract for the modernization of the first cogeneration unit at Opatovice Power Plant – which supplies heat to several thousand households in Pardubice, Hradec Králové, and Chrudim – back in 2019. This modernization was executed during a planned outage in 2020, with the equipment handed over for permanent operation before the start of the heating season in autumn 2020. This initial project focused on Unit TG5, followed three years later by another contract for the replacement of the TG3 turbine. The comprehensive modernization of Unit TG6 encompasses the supply of a new condensing turbine and condenser, repair of the existing generator, installation of new district water heaters, and a complete solution for piping and steel structures. This project is being delivered as an EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contract, a "turnkey" solution covering everything from design and manufacturing to necessary civil works, installation and commissioning. “The most challenging aspect was devising a comprehensive solution that would both increase the operational efficiency of Unit TG6 and respect the spatial limitations of the existing machine hall,” explained Ladislav Szőcs, Sales Manager at Doosan Škoda Power. “A crucial factor was also the need to adhere to a very demanding schedule for the planned outage of the district water heating system.” Opatovice Power Plant is undergoing a fundamental modernization with the objective of progressively phasing out coal-fired operations, replacing them with a more efficient and environmentally friendly gas-fired combined cycle solution. This transformation includes the renewal of key steam turbines in the TG machine hall, which are designed to operate optimally both in the current coal-fired mode and in future natural gas-fired operations. This strategic approach guarantees stable and uninterrupted heat supplies for the entire region throughout the transition. “Doosan Škoda Power has already supplied turbines for the first and third heating stages, which have been successfully commissioned and support combined heat and power (CHP) generation,” stated Jan Burýšek, Strategic Development Specialist at Opatovice Power Plant. “The power plant is now entering the final crucial stage of machine hall modernization – the replacement of the TG6 turbine, which ensures the second heating stage and will also be ready for future combined cycle operation. This contract was also awarded to the same supplier, ensuring technical uniformity across all three turbines and enhanced operational reliability for the entire system.” He added: “The modernization of the machine hall is a key pillar of our transition to low-emission operations. It ensures higher efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and, crucially, stable heat supplies for the entire region.” Opatovice Power Plant is a significant producer of electricity and heat in the East Bohemia region. It supplies heat to nearly 63,000 customers in Pardubice, Hradec Králové, Chrudim, and other towns and municipalities across the region.