A small solar power plant could cover a third of the Zsóry Spa’s electricity consumption

Whilst in the mid-20th century it was still a place of relaxation for the residents of Matyóföld and the surrounding area, the Zsóry Spa and Lido in Mezőkövesd has now grown into one of Northern Hungary’s most significant complexes, covering 11 hectares. As part of the modernisation programme carried out over recent decades, the spa’s operations will now also be supported by a small solar power plant.

Its history began with a fortunate coincidence: in 1938, Lajos Zsóry, chief magistrate and Member of Parliament, granted permission for oil exploration drilling to be carried out on his estate in Mezőkövesd. Although no oil was found, a 30-metre-high column of hot water at a temperature of 68 °C gushed forth from a depth of 875 metres. Recognising its value, Lajos Zsóry then began marketing the water as bottled mineral water, and in July 1940 he also opened the first bathing pool. The water from the spa’s wells, which is rich in sulphur and minerals, was designated as medicinal water in 1968.

A complex system needs to be set up

On the spa grounds (3400 Mezőkövesd-Zsóry, Napfürdő Street), a small-scale power generation system consisting of solar panels, which does not require a licence, is seeking a contractor. The planned small-scale power plant will have a total capacity of 499.5 kW, which will be distributed across 28 three-phase inverters at the following locations:

• car park: 320.32 kW
• swimming pool: 63.36 kW
• bathroom: 81.08 kW
• farm buildings, children’s holiday camp: 117.88 kW

A total of 1,131 solar panel modules, each with a rated power of at least 440 Wp, and 115 modules, each with a rated power of at least 720 Wp, may be installed in the system.

Applications are being accepted until 28 August for the position, which is expected to last eight months.