The largest power grid modernization program in history

Energa Operator, part of the ORLEN Group, has secured over PLN 7.5 billion from the National Recovery Plan for the largest modernization and digitization program of its power grid in northern and central Poland. With a total investment value of PLN 40 billion by 2035, the project will significantly enhance the country's energy security and enable the connection of 9 GW of new renewable energy sources and 200,000 prosumers.

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24 february 2025   |   11:37   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

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The planned investments include the construction of 11,000 kilometers of new power lines and 7,000 kilometers of cable lines, as well as the modernization of nearly 10,000 kilometers of existing networks. The project will connect 350,000 new electricity consumers and 1,600 public vehicle charging stations, including along the A1 and S7 routes. A key element will also be the implementation of smart distribution systems and modern transformers, which will improve grid stability and enable more effective integration of renewable sources.

– We are launching a highly ambitious project that will provide tangible support for Poland's economic development and significantly strengthen the country’s energy security. Northern Poland will play an increasingly important role in the energy transition. Our land-based renewable energy sources are already concentrated here. Additionally, four offshore wind farms and energy storage facilities, as outlined in our strategy, will be established in this region. This system will be supported by two new combined-cycle gas power plants, with two more planned in Gdańsk and Grudziądz, said Ireneusz Fąfara, President of the Management Board of ORLEN.

A smart grid for the future

The modernization of the grid will enhance the reliability of energy supply for 3.5 million customers. With investments in energy storage, ORLEN Group aims to achieve a target capacity of 1.4 GW, contributing to greater stability in the power system and reducing dependence on weather conditions. Additionally, the expansion of smart distribution networks will support the development of electricity-based heating systems.

– Pomerania is becoming a key location on Poland’s energy map, an attractive destination increasingly recognized by major investors. More than 50% of the energy we produce already comes from renewable sources, and expanding our renewable energy portfolio is a priority, emphasizes Sławomir Staszak, President of the Management Board of Energa SA. – For this energy network to function efficiently, a well-operated and intelligent distribution grid is essential. We are preparing for an unprecedented scale of grid modernization and expansion, with funding from the National Recovery Plan covering nearly 20% of the entire 10-year development plan.

Support for industry and transport

The grid expansion will increase the investment appeal of economic zones such as Pruszcz Gdański, Słupsk, and Koszalin, facilitating the growth of energy-intensive industries. The initiative will also support seaports, including gas and fuel terminals, as well as infrastructure for electromobility and public transportation.

– Energa Operator has long been the greenest distribution system operator. Currently, around 60% of the electricity used in our service area comes from renewable sources – making us one of Europe's leaders in energy transition among distributors, says Robert Świerzyński, President of the Management Board of Energa Operator. – Thanks to modern technical solutions, funded in part by the National Recovery Plan, we will provide investors, businesses, and residents with greater convenience, reliable energy supplies, and the development of infrastructure for transport and logistics.

Energa Operator’s power grid modernization project is financed through a low-interest loan from BGK under the National Recovery Plan, as well as PLN 3.5 billion in preferential financing previously secured by ORLEN from the European Investment Bank.

– Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego is an institution with a mission to support Poland's socio-economic development, which is why we are present wherever key investments for our country are being implemented. Today’s loan agreement, while focused on the development and modernization of transmission and distribution infrastructure, has a much broader impact, notes Mirosław Czekaj, President of BGK. – These investments are critical for expanding the distributed energy system – renewables and energy storage facilities. It is worth emphasizing that preferential financing of grid infrastructure will significantly help lay the foundation for further decarbonization of the Polish economy.

The power grid modernization carried out by Energa Operator is a key element of Poland’s energy transition, opening new opportunities for the development of renewable energy sources while strengthening the stability and reliability of energy supplies for residents and businesses.

 

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