The programme involves modernising and constructing 21,000km of the grid.

Energa-Operator, an Orlen Group company, has secured more than 7.5bn zlotys ($1.8bn) for the modernisation and digitalisation of the power grid in northern and central Poland.

This initiative, the largest in the company’s history, aims to enhance the country’s energy security and cut energy costs for consumers.

The programme involves the upgrade and construction of a total of 21,000km of the grid.

A key feature is the planned connection of 9GW of renewable energy sources, alongside energy storage facilities, to stabilise energy generation and reduce dependency on fossil fuels.

The programme will also connect 200,000 new prosumers [those who both produce and consume power] to the grid.

The investment, valued at 40bn zlotys through to 2035, will connect new renewable sources and energy storage facilities to the network.

This will stabilise system operations and reduce weather-related dependencies.

ORLEN president of the management board Ireneusz F?fara said: “We are starting a very ambitious project that will provide real support for Polish economic development and significantly strengthen the country’s energy security. Northern Poland will play an increasingly important role in the energy transformation. Our onshore renewable sources are already concentrated here.

“Four offshore wind farms and energy storage facilities, as defined in our strategy, will also be built here. This system will be supported by two gas-steam power plants under construction and two more that we are planning in Gdańsk and Grudzi?dz.

“The network modernisation programme is an increase in access to clean and attractively priced energy, long-awaited by the inhabitants of the region and businesses. It will be implemented by the Energa Group, which plays a key role in the process of strategic transformation of the Polish energy sector.”

The ORLEN Group’s energy storage facilities are expected to reach a capacity of 1.4GW.

The modernisation will improve network reliability for 3.5 million customers and enhance the use of renewable energy, free from fossil fuel and emission-related regulatory costs.

The programme includes constructing 11,000km of new power lines and 7,000 km of cable lines, and modernising 10,000 km of existing lines.

Plans include connecting about 350,000 new electricity consumers and 1,600 public vehicle charging stations, including on the A1 and S7 routes.

Additionally, 1,000 advanced transformers and voltage control elements will be installed to better distribute renewable energy.

Smart distribution networks will facilitate the expansion of electricity-based heating.

The network expansion will also boost investment attractiveness in economic zones such as Pruszcz Gdański, S?upsk and Koszalin, preparing them for energy-intensive businesses.

The programme supports the development of seaports, gas and fuel terminals, electromobility and public transport electrification.

Currently, 9.6GW of renewable sources are connected to Energa-Operator’s network, representing one-third of Poland’s renewable capacity. This will increase to 19GW, with prosumer numbers rising from 300,000 to 500,000.

Energa-Operator secured funds from KPO through a low-interest loan from BGK and previously obtained PLN 3.5bn in preferential financing from the European Investment Bank for grid modernisation.