Litostroj Engineering to deliver Orlík pumped-storage project
The Czech Republic's largest hydropower plant is about to undergo a major transformation. By 2033, the modernization of the Orlík Hydropower Plant will convert it into the country's third-largest pumped-storage power plant. Litostroj Engineering, a member of Wikov Group, has been selected as the EPC contractor for this landmark project.
The project marks a significant milestone not only for the Czech energy sector but also for the future of energy storage and grid stability as the share of renewable energy continues to grow.
A New Role for Orlík in the Czech Energy System
The modernization will transform the existing hydropower plant into a pumped-storage facility capable of storing excess electricity when renewable generation is high and returning it to the grid when demand increases.
The upgraded plant will provide an energy storage capacity of up to 750 MWh, enabling it to effectively balance fluctuations in renewable energy production while strengthening the stability and reliability of the national power grid.
Advanced Technology for the Next Generation of Hydropower
The project includes the complete replacement of the plant's main technological equipment. The original Kaplan turbines, commissioned in 1961, will be replaced with two modern Francis turbines and two reversible Francis pump-turbines, allowing the plant to operate both in electricity generation and energy storage modes.
Most of the modernization work will take place inside the powerhouse. The reconstruction will be carried out in phases, with two generating units upgraded at a time while the remaining two continue operating, ensuring uninterrupted electricity production throughout the project.
Litostroj Engineering as EPC Contractor
As the EPC contractor, Litostroj Engineering will deliver the complete scope of key hydropower technology. The project includes hydraulic design, model testing, mechanical engineering, manufacturing, installation, commissioning, and comprehensive project management.
The contract further strengthens Litostroj's position among the world's leading suppliers of hydropower and pumped-storage technologies.
"We greatly appreciate the trust placed in us by ČEZ. We are proud that Litostroj has the opportunity to participate in this unique project, transforming the Czech Republic's largest hydropower plant into a pumped-storage facility," said Martin Wichterle, Chairman of Wikov Group.
An Investment in the Future of Energy
Once completed, the pumped-storage cycle will be capable of transferring a volume of water equivalent to approximately 1,840 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The stored energy will equal the capacity of more than one million standard car batteries.
The Orlík modernization represents one of the most significant investments in Czech hydropower in recent decades while highlighting the increasingly important role of pumped-storage plants as a cornerstone of modern, resilient energy infrastructure.
Litostroj Engineering is proud to contribute to a project that will help shape the future of Czech energy for decades to come.
