The Development of the Utilisation of Water Power in Poland

First hydroelectric power stations in Poland were built in 19th century, mostly in the region of Podhale (Carpathian tributaries of the Vistula River) and in the Old Polish Industrial District (for the needs of the iron and steel industry) from the initiative of Stanisław Staszic. They were used in mills and saw mills, for home lighting in settlements, etc. After World War I two medium size hydroelectric power stations were constructed in Pomerania (Gródek and Żar) and the construction of a dam (at that time the largest in Europe) was started in Rożnów on the Dunajec River (50 MW); the hydroelectric power station was opened as late as 1941. A small growth in this field took place in the 1950s and 1960s, and in the late 1960s / early 1970s large hydroelectric power stations were built (Solina, Włocławek, Żydowo). The largest growth occurred in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when the two giant peak-load, pumped-storage power stations were put into operation (Porąbka-Żar: 500 MW and Żarnowiec: 680 MW), reaching the total power of 2000 MW. The most recent two large installations are: Czorsztyn-Niedzica (92 MW, 1997) and the modernisation of Solina (200 MW, 2003).