Porąbka-Żar Power Plant

The Porąbka-Żar Power Plant is the second-largest pumped-storage power plant in Poland, located in Międzybrodzie Bialskie, within the Soła River cascade. Its construction began in the pre-war years, but the concept was only realized in the 1960s. The synchronization of the first hydro unit with the national grid was inaugurated on January 6, 1979, and the construction was fully completed on December 31, 1979. It is the only underground facility of its kind in Poland, with a capacity of four reversible turbine units, each generating 125 MW, operating on Francis turbines. Architecturally, it features a reinforced concrete powerhouse chamber, consisting of three parts: electrical, assembly area, and mechanical. The upper reservoir is elliptical in shape and can hold 2.3 million cubic meters of water. It is worth noting that the construction of the power plant necessitated the relocation of a glider airfield, which was originally situated atop Mount Żar. From a historical perspective, the plant's design and implementation were the result of advanced engineering thought of the time, with one of the visionaries being Kazimierz Dachowski. Among the interesting facts, after the most significant failure in 1989, the plant underwent a major overhaul and modernization, resuming normal operations in 1992. Today, the power plant is open to visitors, attracting not only technology enthusiasts but also tourists interested in the region's history.