Poland Turns Mine Reservoir into Floating Solar Pilot
- Poland to pilot a 2 MW floating solar plant with storage on a Gliwice mine reservoir, backed by EU funding, paving the way for mine-to-renewables projects.
A Polish consortium is launching an innovative renewable energy project by building a 2 MW floating solar power plant with integrated storage on a mine reservoir in Gliwice. The installation, part of the POSTEN project, has secured EUR 6.8 million (USD 7.9m) in funding from the EU’s Research Fund for Coal and Steel.
The photovoltaic farm will be deployed on a three-hectare retention pond at the Sosnica mine, operated by Polska Grupa Górnicza (PGG). The KOMAG Institute of Mining Technology is leading the project, supported by partners including the Central Mining Institute (NRI), the Silesian University of Technology, and local companies specializing in pontoons, anchoring systems, and energy storage.
Once operational, the floating plant will supply electricity directly to the Sosnica coal processing plant, covering around 15% of its consumption. The setup also includes a 2 MWh battery system, ensuring stable delivery of solar energy.
A unique challenge for engineers is the high salinity of the mine’s reservoir, which would corrode conventional structures. To address this, the consortium will use lightweight composite pontoons that are durable and corrosion-resistant. “This ensures long-term stability of the installation under harsh conditions,” explained Wojciech Mikulski, energy engineer at the Sosnica mine.
The pilot project will remain in place until at least 2029, with flexibility to move modules to other reservoirs or reclaimed mine lands. Electricity generated could then be used for mine rehabilitation and reclamation works, providing both environmental and social value.
Before scaling to the full facility in 2027, the team plans to test a 155 kW mini floating PV farm at a mine in MikoĊów by the end of this year.
With this project, Poland is turning post-mining infrastructure into renewable energy hubs, aligning with EU goals to repurpose coal-sector assets for a low-carbon future.
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