In a market consultation process, the PPC in order to add water to the hydroelectric power stations located in Purnari (Arachthos) and Kastraki (Acheloos), in order to obtain the possibility of pumping.
First of all, as things stand today, PPC has a large fleet of hydroelectric plants, but only two pumps, in Sfikia and the Treasure. Given the importance of energy storage for our country's system, the decision was taken to convert the above two hydroelectrics into pumping plants.
A relevant notice was launched this week in order for PPC to identify potential contractors involved in the projects. The aim is in the first place to select a company that will optimize technical solutions, develop design and provide the terms of pricing and notation. Two EPC contracts will then be signed to implement the projects.
At present, PPC has not reached the exact pumping power that the new stations will have, but places it between 160 and 260 MW. At the same time, it is said that they will operate commercially based on the logic of the arbitrage, i.e. taking advantage of price differences between each hour of the day.
According to this logic, storage units absorb energy when it is cheap and sell it on the network when it is more expensive. In practice, they will help not to waste the overproduction of photovoltaics at noons that are now necessarily cut down since there is insufficient demand in those hours.
Finally, let us note that in the technical and construction arm, in order to transform into Purnari and Kastraki, we will need to build water pumping stations, as well as large diameter tunnels, entry-out structures, large pumps and transformers.
