Hydroelectric power plants play a crucial role in generating electricity from renewable resources in the Czech Republic. Their significance in the current energy landscape is increasing even further because they can produce electricity in just a few tens of seconds to reach full capacity and help maintain the stable functioning of the Czech power grid. The general public will have the chance to appreciate the importance and advantages of hydroelectric power plants on Saturday, March 22, 2025, during an event organized by CEZ Group to mark International Water Day. This event will offer special tours of selected facilities across the nation. Residents of South and Central Moravia will have the opportunity to visit with prior registration the hydroelectric power stations at Prýgl and Spytihněv in Brno.
Kníničky Power Plant, located at the Brno dam known as Prýgl, is not only an iconic landmark of Brno but also a fully modernized source of energy that provides electricity for thousands of households in the South Moravian metropolis, along with the Komín power station located downstream. To meet the challenging demands of the 21st-century energy sector, the power plant has undergone significant renovations in recent years through modernization projects. These improvements have included the replacement of the impeller, distribution blades, turbine controller, flapper valve, and a raking machine. The previous four-bladed turbine was substituted with a new one that has the same blade count. Additionally, the generator has been rewound. This modernization was finished in 2016-2017 with the first-ever replacement of the quick-change valve since 1941.
Spytihnev Power Plant was built during the tense times of the so-called Cold War and is designed to start “out of the dark”, which allows it to restore power to the electric grid independently in case of an outage. These reliable local sources of green electricity supply the energy needs of thousands of households in their respective areas. Thanks to thorough upgrades and attentive maintenance, these plants remain a dependable part of the region’s energy network.
Those interested can sign up ahead of time for one of the guided tours during the special tours available on the CEZ website.
