A New Pumped-Storage Hydropower Plant to Be Created at Orlík. Litostroj Engineering Appointed as General Contractor

The largest hydropower plant in the Czech Republic is about to undergo a major transformation. By 2033, the modernization of the Orlík Hydropower Plant will turn it into the third-largest pumped-storage hydropower plant in the country. The project’s general contractor is Litostroj Engineering, a member of Wikov Group.

The project represents 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 sources 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 energy during periods of surplus generation and returning it to the grid when demand is high.

The new pumped-storage plant will offer an energy storage capacity of up to 750 MWh. In practice, this will enable efficient balancing of fluctuations in renewable energy production while supporting the stable operation of the power grid.

New Technologies for the Next Generation of Operation

The modernization includes the complete replacement of key technological equipment. The original Kaplan turbines, installed in 1961, will be replaced by two modern Francis turbines and two reversible Francis pump-turbines, enabling the plant to operate in both power generation and energy storage modes.

Most of the work will take place inside the power plant. The modernization will be carried out in phases, with two units being upgraded at a time while the remaining two continue operating. This approach will ensure uninterrupted electricity generation throughout the reconstruction period.

Litostroj Engineering as General Contractor

As part of the project, Litostroj Engineering will provide a complete supply of the key technological components. The scope includes hydraulic design, model testing, mechanical engineering, and the manufacturing of the turbines themselves.

The project further strengthens Litostroj’s long-standing 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 can be part of this unique project, which will transform the largest hydropower plant in the Czech Republic into a pumped-storage facility,” said Martin Wichterle, Chairman of the Board of Wikov Group.

An Investment in the Future of Energy

Once completed, the plant will be capable of pumping a volume of water equivalent to approximately 1,840 Olympic-size swimming pools during a single storage cycle. The stored energy will correspond to the capacity of more than one million standard electric vehicle batteries.

The Orlík project is one of the most significant investments in Czech hydropower in recent decades and further highlights the growing importance of pumped-storage plants as a key component of modern energy infrastructure.

Litostroj Engineering is proud to be part of a project that will help shape the future of Czech energy for decades to come.