The Glass of Ice

Managed by Ignitis Gamyba, Kruonis Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Plant (KPSHP) is situated north of the town of Kruonis in Kaišiadorys district and is the only power plant of its type in the Baltic region. It is one of the new-generation energy units.

KPSHP is used primarily to balance electricity supply and demand. It helps to prevent energy system accidents and liquidates their aftermath. Currently, KPSHP can ensure 94% of the total necessary energy reserves for Lithuania in case of emergency.

During periods of low demand, usually at night, the KPSHP is operated in pump mode and uses cheap surplus energy. It raises water from the lower Kaunas Lagoon to the upper 303 ha reservoir that is 100 m above Kaunas Lagoon water level. During peak-demand periods (daytime) with regular energy demands, it operates like a traditional hydroelectric plant. In order to prevent and liquidate system accidents, it is important for units to ensure a rapid reserved capacity. KPSHP can be switched on at full power in less than 2 minutes, if necessary. The KPSHP units can be started automatically by the anti-accident system and can cover any deficit in power. Other equally important functions of KPSHP are the ability to level the system load balance, to regulate voltage and frequency, and to start the system after a total system blackout.

Technical characteristics of KPSHP:
Capacity – 900 MW, 4 units of 225 MW
Cycle efficient use rate: 0.74
Unit‘s operational range in generator mode: 0 – 225 MW
Fixed capacity in pump mode: 220 MW
The KPSHP generated 0,72 TWh electricity in 2020.