Energa Operator, a subsidiary of Energa within the ORLEN Group, has secured additional funding under a low-interest loan from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan for its largest investment program in history.
The amount of support has increased from PLN 7.6 billion to PLN 9.4 billion and now represents nearly 25% of the total PLN 40 billion of capital expenditures planned through 2035. Energa Operator, a subsidiary of Energa within the ORLEN Group, has secured additional funding under a low-interest loan from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan for its largest investment program in history.
The amount of support has increased from PLN 7.6 billion to PLN 9.4 billion and now represents nearly 25% of the total PLN 40 billion of capital expenditures planned through 2035. The aim of the ten-year investment program, significantly supported by the amended agreement with Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, is to adapt distribution networks to the needs of a modern, distributed energy system.
Sławomir Staszak, President of the Management Board of Energa SA told The Voice of Renewables: ‘To decarbonize the Polish energy sector and effectively transform it, modernization of national distribution systems is essential. As further key investments, including offshore wind farms, progress is made, networks will need to meet the demands of distributed energy production, which requires significant flexibility, to an even greater extent than they currently do. Therefore, implementing the largest investment program in our history in distribution infrastructure, its modernisation, and digitalisation is crucial for the Energa Group.’
Mirosław Czekaj, President of the Management Board of BGK added: ‘Today’s agreement is another important step towards improving Poland’s energy security. As a development bank, BGK plays a significant role in implementing our country’s energy transformation. Our strategy for 2025-2030 includes building socio-economic resilience, increasing national security, and the energy transformation as among the bank’s most important challenges. The agreement with Energa is proof that the bank is fully implementing its mission and strategy. Our goal is not only to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, but also to strengthen the competitiveness of our economy and ensure stable and sustainable energy sources.’
The signed annex to the agreement provides for an additional PLN 1.8 billion, which will be allocated, among other things, to finance the development of Energa Operator’s power grids and improve their operational security.
‘Energa Operator’s role is no longer limited to building and maintaining infrastructure. Strategic planning of grid development in line with the needs of the energy transition is becoming increasingly important, as is ensuring that this transition is safe, stable, and beneficial to both the economy and the residents of the regions where we operate. Simultaneously, investments in grid digitization and automation, the implementation of intelligent metering systems (AMI), the development of tools for forecasting and demand management, and the development of analytical algorithms will optimise our investment and operational decisions, including cost-effectively.’ Robert Świerzyński, President of the Management Board of Energa Operator told us.
Historic grid investment
As part of its investment plan, Energa Operator will build over 11,000 km of new power lines and 7,000 km of cable lines by §2035, and will also modernise nearly 10,000 km of existing lines. This will create conditions for connecting as much as 9 GW of new renewable energy sources (including approximately 200,000 prosumers), along with energy storage facilities.
Asked about the investment, Magdalena Kamińska, Vice President of the Management Board for Finance, Energa SA explained: ‘Energa Operator’s investment program poses a significant financial challenge, which is why support under the KPO is crucial for us. The funds from the low-interest loan are already enabling us to connect new customers and implement digital solutions. Thanks to the amendment to the agreement with BGK, the transformation of our distribution infrastructure, including increasing its connection capacity for renewable energy sources and increasing its flexibility, will gain even greater momentum.’
Plans also include connecting approximately 350,000 new electricity customers and 1,600 publicly accessible vehicle charging stations, including along the A1 and S7 routes. The company’s investment will also result in approximately 1,000 technologically advanced transformers and voltage control elements. Digitalization of the grid will improve its ability to distribute energy from renewable sources and will also enable, among other things, the expansion of electricity-based heating.
‘There is no doubt that every złoty allocated to the energy transition pays off many times over in the form of economic growth. The agreement signed today is an example of the impact that BGK’s National Recovery Plan funds have on the national economy. Greater flexibility and resilience of transmission networks not only improve energy security but also create new opportunities for the development of innovative technologies and electromobility. Thousands of new connection points also mean thousands of potential jobs, producers, service providers, and, above all, consumers, who build the security, this time financial, of the country and local governments.’ Professor Marta Postuła, First Vice President of BGK told us.
North-central Poland, where Energa Operator operates, has become the center of the energy transition. The high potential for renewable energy development—primarily onshore wind farms and planned offshore wind farms, as well as the dynamic development of photovoltaics and new industrial investments – requires the company to take a strategic approach to grid expansion and modernisation.
