Trip description
Have you ever wondered what the heart of Poland’s largest hydroelectric power plant looks like? How does a turbine pump work? What lies behind the mighty dams on the San River? Discover the secrets of renewable energy from the inside!
This Friday, May 23, 2025, Zrobotyzowani will take you on an extraordinary journey to the heart of the Solina-Myczkowce Hydroelectric Power Plant Complex – a true gem of Polish renewable energy. Thanks to a unique collaboration with PGE Energia Odnawialna, you will gain exclusive access to places normally inaccessible to tourists.
- See with your own eyes the fascinating overhaul of turbogenerator No. 3 – a unique opportunity that rarely occurs!
- Learn behind the scenes how clean energy is generated, powering thousands of homes.
- Experience an unforgettable adventure among technology and industry enthusiasts.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to discover the technical heritage and contemporary achievements of the Polish energy industry.
Join us and feel the power of renewable energy up close!
🔜 Trip type: Educational Path – Industrial Tour
📅 Date: May 23, 2025 (Friday)
⏰ Start time: 10:00 AM
📍 Meeting point: Solina 61, PGE Energia Odnawialna Tourist Service Office, Solina dam
⏳ Duration: Approximately 5 hours – This time may change depending on the pace of the tour and the number of questions asked!
👥 Number of places: Strictly limited!
🚌 Transport: Coach (mandatory)
🚗 Travel by own car (following the tour group): Possible – let us know by email!
👖 Attire: long trousers, sturdy shoes with thick soles
🔢 Minimum participant age: 10 years
🥤 Meals: No coffee break – we recommend bringing your own provisions
💳 Ticket purchase: exclusively online via the GoOut portal
✍️ By purchasing a ticket for the event, you accept our regulations
Trip Plan – Schedule
An adventure that will stay with you forever
During this unique visit, you will get to know the Solina and Myczkowce hydroelectric power plants inside out – literally! We will tour the entire Solina power plant, including areas not covered by any standard tourist route. A real treat awaits us: turbogenerator No. 3 is currently undergoing renovation, so we will be able to see its interior and individual parts up close, as well as learn the secrets of its operation. This is a unique opportunity to peek into the smallest corners and understand the servicing of these extraordinary machines – turbine pumps that produce clean energy for thousands of homes daily.
We will enter the control room – the heart of the power plant, from where the entire energy production process is managed. We will talk to experts from Stadler, the company responsible for the overhaul of turbogenerator No. 3, who will gladly share their knowledge and talk about the recently completed repair of turbogenerator No. 4. This is a chance to learn firsthand about the daily life of engineers and how modern technologies support the safety and efficiency of the power plant’s operation.
But that’s just the beginning! Solina is not only the largest and highest dam in Poland – its impressive parameters are truly remarkable:
- 81.8 meters high – that’s as tall as a 27-story skyscraper!
- 664 meters long – almost like seven football pitches lined up in a row.
- 2 million tons of concrete and over 18 thousand tons of steel – a true engineering giant.
Behind this monumental structure lies Lake Solina, which holds a staggering 500 million cubic meters of water and is one of the largest artificial reservoirs in Poland.
The heart of the power plant consists of four huge Francis turbine units, which together can generate almost 200 megawatts of power – enough to supply an entire voivodeship! Interestingly, Solina acts like a giant battery: at night, when there is excess electricity in the grid, it pumps water uphill, and during the day, when everyone is using energy, it releases water through the turbines to produce electricity. It’s the largest such system in Central Europe!
We will also peek into the underground corridors – inspection galleries that run beneath the dam on four levels. Remember, the temperature inside is around 7°C! This is where engineers monitor the structure’s integrity and safety using modern sensors and laser crack meters. You will see how modern technology takes care of every detail – from automatic control systems and vibration monitoring to emergency gates that can stop the water flow in seconds if needed.
After a thorough tour of Solina, we will travel by coach to the dam in Myczkowce. It is a smaller but equally interesting facility – an earth-concrete dam that creates Lake Myczkowieckie and supports the entire energy system of the region. Here you will learn more secrets about the operation of Kaplan turbines and see how both facilities work together to store and generate energy in harmony with nature.
During this trip, you will learn how the ZEW Solina-Myczkowce complex protects the surrounding area from floods, supports the development of renewable energy sources, and cares for the local ecosystem – for example, by creating artificial spawning grounds for fish and monitoring water quality. You will also discover interesting facts, such as the mural created using clean graffiti technique on the dam wall or the underwater 3D scanners examining the lake bottom.
This is a unique opportunity to see monumental structures with your own eyes, hear stories about engineering challenges, and find out what the future of renewable energy in Poland looks like. Join us and discover places that are normally closed to visitors – we guarantee plenty of practical knowledge, inspiration, and unforgettable experiences!
Why is it worth it?
ZEW Solina-Myczkowce is not only a historical engineering facility but, above all, a modern plant producing clean, ecological energy. The history of the complex dates back to 1921, when Professor Karol Pomianowski developed the first project to utilize the San River loop near Myczkowce. Today, these power plants are a key element of Poland’s energy transformation, helping to reduce CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere.
During our visit, you will see how innovative technical solutions help efficiently utilize the energy potential of the San River while caring for the natural environment. Modern water flow management systems allow for controlled discharge of excess water, ensuring the power plants operate safely for the surrounding areas even during increased flows
Here’s what you gain by joining us:
- Feel like an explorer: You will enter the interior of the largest dam in Poland, see turbine units larger than a bus, and explore corners usually only seen by engineers.
- See the technology of the future: You will learn how the giant ‘water battery’ works – the pumped-storage system that stores energy and helps fight for clean air.
- Touch science live: This isn’t a boring lesson! Here you’ll see how engineers repair a turbogenerator, how the control room operates, and how modern sensors protect the entire structure.
- Get inspired for your own projects: If you dream of a career in IT, engineering, ecology, or energy, you’ll see what work looks like in one of the most modern plants in Europe.
- Get away from the screen: There’s no time for boredom here – active touring, walking through underground corridors, meeting new people, and a shared adventure await you.
- Gain knowledge that will impress others: After this trip, you’ll know more than many adults about how energy is generated, how to care for the environment, and how the largest machines in Poland work.
Join us!
Industry awaits you. Are you ready to discover it?
Booking and payments
Ticket prices are as follows:
- Standard ticket — 329.00 PLN;
- Reduced ticket (persons aged 12-18) — 263.20 PLN;
The indicated price includes VAT and is the final price for participation in the event.
Registration for the event will begin on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 8:00 PM.
By registering for the event, you accept the General Terms and Conditions along with the personal data processing policy, which constitutes Appendix No. 1 to the GTC.
Please direct any questions to the Organizers by email: hello@zrobotyzowani.com.pl or by phone: +48 792 755 838
When purchasing a ticket, we encourage you to give voluntary consent for marketing contact.
This will allow us to directly send additional information such as meeting points, extra transport connections, or information about our future Technical Journeys.
Meeting point
📅 Date: May 23, 2025 (Friday)
⏰ Start time: 10:00 AM
📍 Meeting point: Solina 61, PGE Energia Odnawialna Tourist Service Office, Solina dam
Transport connections
How to get to the meeting point? A few words from the heart:
We know that Solina off-season is a real transportation challenge. Unfortunately, buses are scarce, and convenient connections can be counted on one hand. However, we did everything in our power to find any sensible travel options for you, both arriving and returning – we really gave it our 100%.
Getting to Solina
- From Warsaw: The most convenient option is to depart at night from Dworzec Zachodni (West Station) (Neobus, departure 00:10), arriving at 7:32 AM.
- From Rzeszów: We also recommend the same Neobus (departure 4:30 AM), arriving in Solina at 7:32 AM.
- From Sanok: If you start from Sanok, you can take BAK-BUS (departure 7:25 AM), change in Lesko, and you will arrive at Solina Osiedle at 8:30 AM.
Returning from Solina
The return situation looks even more difficult. The Neobus to Warsaw departs only on Saturday morning (9:10 AM), so if you plan to return earlier, you’ll need to arrange connections.
- To Sanok: TravelPL from Solina Osiedle at 5:50 PM.
- To Rzeszów: It’s best to depart at 5:50 PM from Solina Osiedle (TravelPL), change in Sanok, then take Marcel – you will arrive in Rzeszów at 10:16 PM.
- To Warsaw: The direct Neobus is only on Saturday at 9:10 AM, arriving in Warsaw at 6:00 PM.
A few practical tips
- Check the schedule and buy your ticket in advance – don’t leave it until the last minute.
- Bring everything you need for the whole day (and maybe for the night, if you’re returning on Saturday!).
We know it’s not easy, but we hope that together we can manage and meet in Solina. Thank you for your understanding and determination – it’s thanks to you that trips like these make sense!
Important information
⚡Safety and attire
Every participant of the tour is required to wear long trousers covering the ankles and comfortable, stable shoes with thick soles. Individuals dressed contrary to these rules will not be permitted to join the tour.
The temperature inside the dam is 7°C – please bring a sweatshirt or jacket.
🎒 Bring with you
- Passport or ID card
- Provisions/Snacks
- Drinking water
- School/Student ID card
➕ Good to know
- The number of places is limited – determined by the order of registration and reservation payment.
- The tour is not a tourist event within the meaning of the Act on Tourist Services.
- By registering for the event, you accept the General Terms and Conditions along with the personal data processing policy, which constitutes Appendix No. 1 to the GTC.
- Providing full personal data is required: first name and surname, date of birth, ID document number, and residential address – this is a condition set by our Host.
- The first name and surname on the reservation must be identical to those on the identity document. Otherwise, entry may be refused.
- The Organizer reserves the right to cancel the tour for reasons beyond their control – in such a case, you will receive a full refund of the payment.
- Photography is strictly prohibited within the ZEW Solina-Myczkowce premises.
- ♿ Due to the specific nature of industrial facilities and their infrastructure, unfortunately, we are unable to provide suitable conditions for participation by persons with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs. 🙏 We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.
- Please be advised that the following are strictly prohibited on the premises of the Solina hydroelectric power plant:
- Filming and taking photographs are prohibited.
- Bringing firearms.
- Bringing hazardous materials, radioactive sources and waste, toxic, intoxicating, explosive, or chemical materials with high fire or explosion susceptibility.
- Bringing dangerous and sharp objects.
- Bringing objects that could interfere with the operation of the power plant equipment.
- Making phone calls using mobile devices.
- Bringing suitcases, backpacks, bags, nets, and other types of luggage. The tour organizer provides (without liability) deposit lockers.
- Bringing animals (excluding guide dogs).
- Bringing, possessing, and consuming alcohol or other intoxicating substances.
- Entering the power plant premises after consuming alcohol or other intoxicating substances.
- Smoking tobacco and using electronic cigarettes, as well as using any source of open flame.
- Leaving the tour route or straying from the group without authorization.
- Approaching, touching, pressing buttons, or switches on devices located along the tour route.
- All tour participants are required to wear protective helmets while on the premises of the Solina hydroelectric power plant, which will be provided as part of the ticket price.
Remember!
The safety and comfort of all participants is our priority – please adhere to the above rules. See you there!
Our merchandise
Engineering on our merchandise too! 🛠️
If you are fascinated by the world of industry, energy, mining, metallurgy, or railways, we have something special for you! At Zrobki.pl you will find unique industry-inspired merchandise that you can take home.
👉 Visit Zrobki.pl and check out our offer!
Don’t wait – our merchandise is very popular, and the number of products is limited. See what we have prepared, and choose something to remind you of this unique trip!
Take the next step and show your passion for engineering – visit Zrobki.pl now! 🚀
FAQ and CUSTOMER INFORMATION OBLIGATION
👉 Browse the FAQ and find the answer to your question in seconds!
It’s a quick and convenient way to clear up doubts and save time. However, if you don’t find the information you need there, you can always write to us – we’re happy to help!
If you couldn’t find the answer you were looking for or if you have trouble filling out the form, we encourage you to contact us.
We accept registrations for the event exclusively via the form available at https://zrobotyzowani.com.pl/bilety/zew-solina-2025
In random cases, beyond the organizer’s control – we reserve the right to cancel events.
Legal Disclaimer
The content provided on this website in English is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a binding offer as defined by applicable law. The binding offer is exclusively the Polish version of the event description, which complies with Polish law. In the event of any discrepancies or inconsistencies between the English and Polish versions, the Polish version shall prevail.
By using this website, you acknowledge and agree that the Organizer is not liable for any misunderstandings or misinterpretations arising from the translation of the content into English.
When purchasing a ticket, we encourage you to give voluntary consent for marketing contact.
This will allow us to directly send additional information such as meeting points, extra transport connections, or information about our future Technical Journeys.
Information for Geeks
The Solina and Myczkowce dams are not only icons of Polish engineering but also a key link in the country’s energy transformation. These facilities combine historical design precision with the latest technological achievements, creating a system with unique parameters on a Central European scale.
Architecture of giants: technical parameters
Solina Power Plant
Construction of the concrete colossus with dimensions:
- Height: 81.8 m (from foundations)
- Crest length: 664 m with a width of 8.8 m
- Mass: 2 million tons of concrete (760,000 m³) and 18,329 tons of reinforcing steel
- Water head: 60 m creating Lake Solina (21 km² surface area, 500 million m³ capacity)
The turbine system includes:
- 4 reversible Francis turbine units with a total capacity of 198.66 MW
- Rotor diameter: 4.5 m
- Pumping capacity: 140 m³/s per turbine unit
- Operating pressure in pipelines: 6.3 MPa
Myczkowce Power Plant
Earth-concrete dam with parameters:
- Height: 17.5 m with a length of 460 m
- Reservoir capacity: 11 million m³ (Lake Myczkowieckie)
- Installed capacity: 8.3 MW with two Kaplan turbines
Innovations on a European scale
Pumped-storage system
Solina operates as the largest pumped-storage power plant in Central Europe with a natural inflow. The “water battery charging” mechanism operates in a cycle:
- Nightly pumping from Myczkowce to Solina using surplus grid energy
- Daytime generation during peak demand hours (11 AM-1 PM and 5 PM-8 PM)
- Process automation with a turbine start-up time of 90 seconds
The system efficiency reaches 76%, allowing for the storage of energy equivalent to 230 GWh annually.
21st Century Modernizations
The revitalization project from 2000-2003 introduced:
- Digital SCADA control systems with meteorological data integration
- Vibro-Expert vibration sensors monitoring the condition of turbine bearings
- FloodAlert early warning system with a San River flow model
Unique technical solutions
Inspection gallery
A network of underground corridors with a total length of 2,073 m on four levels, equipped with:
- Piezometers measuring water pressure within the structure
- Laser crack meters tracking micro-cracks
- Drainage system with 43 expansion joint sections
Emergency safety measures
- Safety gates weighing 85 tons each, closable in 30 seconds
- Emergency bottom outlet with a capacity of 2,300 m³/s
- Water reserve for generator cooling for 72h of operation
Ecology and prevention
The ZEW Solina-Myczkowce system plays a key role in:
- Water retention – reduces flood risk for 340,000 residents of Podkarpacie
- RES support – stabilizes the grid for wind farms and photovoltaics
- Ecosystem protection – artificial spawning grounds for zander and vimba bream
Technological tidbits
- Eco-mural on the northern face of the dam (91×54 m) created using the clean graffiti technique by Przemek “Trusta” Truściński
- Historic Stoney sluice gate from 1925 – the only preserved part of the pre-war infrastructure
- Underwater 3D scanners monitoring submerged villages at the bottom of the lake
This combination of monumental scale and precise engineering makes ZEW Solina-Myczkowce a subject of study for specialists from all over Europe. Modernizations carried out in cooperation with the Stadler company (responsible for the overhaul of turbogenerators) keep this complex at the forefront of hydrotechnical innovation.
