Electricity distribution
Energy transition without the development and automation of distribution networks is not possible. We are investing in the distribution business so that it can meet the challenges of modern energy.
PLN 4.2 billion
PGE Dystrybucja spent for investments in electricity infrastructure in 2023
The year 2023 was marked by the modernisation and expansion of the network and the implementation of further stages related to the launch of modern LTE 450 connectivity and the installation of remote reading meters (ROCs). The record financial outlays earmarked for investment in 2023 will ensure a stable and secure electricity supply, increase the connectivity of RES and improve the quality of services.
Network upgrades and extensions
PGE Dystrybucja made the following investments in 2023:
- construction of 1 033.8 km of MV and LV lines
- construction and modernisation of 190.5 km of 110kV high voltage lines
- construction and modernisation of 1 633 MV/nn substations
- construction and modernisation of 14 HV/SN substations
- modernisation of 2 874.8 km of MV and LV lines
- reconstruction of the 110 kV Abramowice – Świdnik line on the premises of the Lublin Branch.
One of the most important investment tasks was the modernisation and construction of 110/15kV stations (Main Power Points), such as the 110/15 kV Słupia (Łódź branch), Wilkołaz (Lublin branch), Huszlew (Lublin branch), Felin (Lublin branch) or Wróblew (Łódź branch) and Ferrero (Skarżysko-Kamienna branch), increasing connection capacities and improving electricity distribution.
Watch the film about Slupia station
Watch the film about Wilkołaz station
These projects not only secured the stability of the energy supply, but also enabled the integration of renewable sources such as wind and photovoltaic farms, but also responded to the growing needs of the region.
At the beginning of 2023, in the area of operations of the company’s Rzeszów branch, the construction of the largest grid connection in the history of PGE Dystrybucja for the Euro-Park Stalowa Wola economic zone began.
Two new Main Power Points connected by overhead-cable lines are the answer to the huge demand from investors, ultimately reaching 1 500
Cabling programme
A strategic programme of medium-voltage (MV) network cabling, is a key element in ensuring the highest power quality parameters for consumers and minimising the risk of damage that can cause mass failure.
The programme to increase the share of cable lines to min. 30% in the MV network of PGE Dystrybucja consists of the reconstruction of medium-voltage power networks from overhead to cable lines, in particular in the places of those sections of overhead lines where the nuisance and impact on the failure rate is the greatest. In practice, this means
W praktyce oznacza to:
The construction of a total of more than 11 000 km of MV cable lines
While dismantling some 8 800 km of overhead lines.
Currently, the PGE CG has the longest overhead and cable network in the country – due to the size and low density of the distribution area. Increasing the share of cable lines will have a positive impact on reducing network failure rates. The advantages of cable lines over overhead lines are clear:
Przewagi linii kablowych nad napowietrznymi są wyraźne:
Greater resistance to weather anomalies
Shorter electricity blackout times
The implementation of the project will bring tangible benefits in terms of reducing operating costs and optimising operations:
- Minimising lost benefits from undersupplied energy
- Decrease in costs incurred for network operation
- Reduction of network loss costs
From the customer’s point of view, the implementation of the project will mean increased security of supply for customers:
- Twice the reduction in SAIDI compared to the basic investment plan
- Ability to meet the increasingly stringent quality regulation requirements imposed by the Energy Regulatory Office
For its network cabling programme, PGE Dystrybucja has acquired the first of its kind underground power cable laying machine in Poland. Find out more about the cable laying machine
The specialised, state-of-the-art machine is capable of laying up to 5 km of cable line per day.
This allows the project to be completed much more quickly. A tangible benefit is also the lower costs compared to the traditional method of cable laying. The use of a modern cable laying machine not only shortens project completion times, but also reduces interference with the environment by using the method of laying cables underground without the need to create trenches.
Investment lead times will be reduced
There will also be less interference with the surroundings due to the method of laying cables underground without the need for trenches
See how medium voltage network cabling works in practice
1,760 km
MV cable lines were completed in 2023
PLN 881 million
capital expenditures in 2023
4,047 km
MV cable lines completed from the start of the Programme in 2019 until the end of December 2023
Digitisation and development
Smart grids
PGE Dystrybucja implemented the projects it had started earlier, while launching further projects.
Key for the company were initiatives related to the development of the smart grid, increasing the use of power from renewable energy sources, developing the power grid using distributed energy sources, or increasing the efficiency of acquiring and processing metering data. In the area of energy security, the company successfully increased the efficiency of its operational work, with an emphasis on innovation and customer orientation.
One of the ongoing projects is ‘Application of artificial intelligence based on neural networks to identify and eliminate risks in networks with high saturation of generation from RES sources‘.
Its objective is to create an autonomous network control system to increase the possibility of connecting new RES generation facilities and the possibility of exporting energy from RES sources to distribution networks, as well as to increase the transmission capacity of lines through appropriate power management.
Another important project is the ‘Intelligent Load Optimisation System for High Voltage Lines’, based on the latest DOL solutions for both line-mounted sensors and measurement data processing software. Its aim is to increase the permissible current carrying capacity of existing HV lines by using state-of-the-art solutions to ensure that the flexibility of the power system can be exploited.
The company has also launched projects: “Intelligent system for stabilisation of temporary power supply operation in a network with a dense occurrence of prosumers” and “Use of artificial intelligence to find anomalies in metering systems and electricity billing“. The first aims to improve the quality of distribution services provided to customers by, among other things, improving the quality and reliability of electricity supply. The second assumes the development of a system using machine learning to identify energy consumption points where irregularities occur that affect the correctness of electricity billed, compliance with technical conditions issued and monitoring of energy quality parameters.
In 2023, the company completed the project ‘Managing the operation of the low-voltage distribution network taking into account the active role of the ‘, launching a pilot space where the solution is being tested. The project ‘Intelligent reconfiguration system of the LV network with a system to support assembly services‘ was also completed, aiming to automate the LV network in areas with a very dense number of users, contributing to the reduction of does not include outages on LV networks">SAIDI and does not include outages on LV networks">SAIFI ratios.
Connection of new customers
Connection tasks are development tasks for PGE Dystrybucja S.A., resulting in an increase in connection capacity and contributing to increased connection possibilities in the future. In 2023, expenditures for connecting new customers amounted to PLN 1 616 million.
PLN 1,616 m
expenditures for connecting new customers
Central Power Dispatch (CDM)
In December 2023, work began on the construction of PGE Dystrybucja’s Central Power Dispatch in Lublin. It will be the main centre for managing the operation of the power system, playing a key role in supervising the operation of the HV network. Equipped with specialised ICT and communications solutions, the CDM will enable the effective management and control of the operation of the entire network within the company’s territory. The estimated cost of this investment is more than PLN 34 million.