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Bełchatów Power Station

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

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The Bełchatów Power Station, located in the Łódź Voivodeship, is the largest lignite-fired power plant in the world and the most powerful thermal power station in Europe. With a total installed capacity exceeding 5,100 megawatts, it generates approximately 20% of Poland's total electricity supply. The facility was constructed during the 1970s and 1980s and has undergone continuous modernization, including the launch of a high-efficiency 858 MW unit in 2011. The fuel required for power generation is sourced directly from the adjacent Bełchatów open-pit mine, which is one of Europe's largest man-made excavations. Due to its massive carbon dioxide emissions, the plant is frequently at the center of international climate policy debates, with operator PGE planning a phased decommissioning by 2036. The technical infrastructure features massive cooling towers and chimneys that are prominent landmarks in the flat landscape of central Poland. The station remains the backbone of the Polish power grid's stability while facing the significant challenges of the transition toward renewable energy sources.

Location: Poland
Nearby: Bełchatów (11 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-3	-2	2	9	14	18	20	20	15	9	4	-1
Rain mm	45	39	40	41	75	73	78	60	53	50	45	43

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

The Bełchatów Power Station is the largest lignite-fired power plant in Europe and a critical component of Poland's energy grid. It supplies a large part of the country with electricity and shapes the industrial landscape of the Łódź region.

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Visiting

The power station is not open to the public for safety reasons. From the surrounding roads, especially from the viewing platform near the open-pit mine, you can see the huge facility and cooling towers.

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Where to view it

A recommended viewpoint is the nearby hill, offering an overview of the entire power plant complex and the adjacent open-pit mine. The official viewing platform on the road to Szczerców also allows good photos.

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Local products

In the Bełchatów region, the main product is electricity that powers the entire country. Local markets offer agricultural products from the area, which are influenced by the energy industry.

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Active season

The power station operates baseload around the clock, with seasonal fluctuations in electricity demand. Especially in winter and during peak load times, full capacity can be observed.

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Nearby

A visit can be combined with a trip to the nearby park landscapes of the Żerków-Czeszewo Nature Reserve. The city of Bełchatów also provides historical sights such as the Bełchatów Castle.

Geography

Coordinates

51.26600, 19.33200

Facts

The total installed capacity of the power station is approximately 5,102 MW.
It provides roughly 20% of the total electricity consumed in Poland.
The Bełchatów open-pit mine produces 40-42 million tonnes of lignite annually.
The tallest chimney at the power station reaches a height of 300 meters.
The high-efficiency Unit 14 was commissioned in the year 2011.
A phased shutdown of the lignite units is planned to be completed by 2036.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Bełchatów11 km · NExplore →

Radomsko24 km · SExplore →

Piotrków Trybunalski Old Town30 km · NEExplore →

Pabianice44 km · NExplore →

Zduńska Wola46 km · NWExplore →

Kłobuck49 km · SWExplore →

Częstochowa53 km · SExplore →

Jasna Góra Monastery53 km · SExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Bełchatów Power Station (1)

Wiejski Ośrodek Kultury 🎭 culture

A rural cultural center providing community arts activities near Bełchatów.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the Bełchatów Power Station?

The interior is closed to tourists, but there are observation decks in Kleszczów offering a panoramic view of the massive open-pit mine.

What makes this place special?

It is the largest brown coal power station in Europe and one of the largest in the world, serving as a symbol of Polish industry.

Are there attractions nearby?

Góra Kamieńsk, an artificial hill made from overburden, gives ski slopes in winter and cycling paths in summer.

What role does the plant play in the region?

It is the most important employer in the Łódź region and secures the electricity supply for millions of households.

When is the best time to visit the viewpoints?

Clear days offer the best visibility of the giant excavators and the vast scale of the power station complex.

Bełchatów Power Station: where is it located?

Bełchatów Power Station is located in Poland.

Bełchatów Power Station: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.

Bełchatów Power Station: why is it worth visiting?

The Bełchatów Power Station, located in the Łódź Voivodeship, is the largest lignite-fired power plant in the world and the most powerful thermal power station in Europe.

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