As municipal officials explain:
Through its actions related to securing the Pilchowice Dam, TAURON Ekoenergia effectively prevented a disaster that could have had tragic consequences for the residents of our city and its infrastructure. Bolesławiec’s flood protection has been inseparably linked to the Pilchowice Dam since 1912. The official opening of the Pilchowice Dam took place on November 16, 1912. In addition to protecting against floods, the Pilchowice Dam serves another important function: water flowing out of the pipelines generates electricity. The first test and challenge for the Pilchowice Dam was the flood at the beginning of August 1915. Starting on August 5, the water level in the reservoir rose rapidly. The following morning, uncontrolled water flow from the reservoir occurred through a surface spillway built in the shape of a ramp. This solution does not slow the water down, which is why the cascade steps that still exist today were built later, in the late 1920s.
They add:
A dramatic rescue operation on September 15, 2024—just before the uncontrolled cascade discharge—marked the beginning of a titanic struggle by the TAURON Ekoenergia sp. z o.o. team, battling time and the elements at the Pilchowice Dam. The management and employees of TAURON Ekoenergia demonstrated not only professionalism, but also responsibility and concern for the well-being of the community living along the Bóbr River. Thanks to their immediate, heroic and effective actions at the Pilchowice Dam, it was possible to avert a flood that could have affected our city and caused enormous material losses, as well as posing a threat to the lives and health of residents.
The adoption of the resolution on September 25, 2024, concerning the awarding of the honorary title was preceded by a presentation of the TAURON Ekoenergia team’s actions aimed at securing the dam. On that day, the company’s vice presidents—Piotr Roman and city councilors received heartfelt thanks from the mayor of Bolesławiec, on behalf of the entire team. The management board’s vice presidents—Marta Stefańczyk-Pawlak and Wiesław Zieliński—accepted the thanks. Awarding TAURON Ekoenergia the title “Deserving of Bolesławiec” expresses the community’s gratitude for its contribution to protecting the city.