Polish energy giant Tauron on Thursday signed a contract with a consortium consisting of engineering firm Rafako and construction firm Mostostal Warszawa for the construction of a 910 megawatt power unit in Tauron's Jaworzno power plant.

The unit's output could cover five percent of Poland's current power needs.

Addressing a deal signing ceremony on Thursday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the investment will provide electricity to 2.5 million households and will use 2.7 million tonnes of coal annually, offering employment to some 3,000 miners.

The construction of the power unit will create more than 2,500 jobs.

"We want to base our energy industry on our own resources, primarily on coal," the prime minister said.

According to Tusk, Poland's investments in power capacity would reach 10 billion U.S. dollars over the next six years, while all the investments in the country's energy security -- 20 billion U.S. dollars.

The construction is to take 59 months and the new unit will replace old Tauron's installations in Jaworzno. Currently, Tauron operates nine coal-fired units in the power plant with total output of 1,535 megawatt.

Tauron, which is 30-percent state-owned, supplies power to some 18 percent of Poland's territory. Endi

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