Impact on the economy and the market

PSE’s priority is to ensure the current and long-term security of electricity supply in Poland. The company’s tasks include maintenance development of the transmission network, management of the Polish Power System, including network balancing, as well as cooperation with other TSOs.

Satisfying energy needs throughout the country and ensuring security of electricity supply significantly contributes to Poland’s economic growth, which is reflected in increased income and life qualify of Poles. Such impact of PSE on economic growth is possible owing to the company’s cooperation with numerous enterprises.

As a contributor of taxes and other levies, we have a positive impact on the local, regional and national budgets, enabling many significant projects to be financed.

Impact on the economy and the market

Stable operation of the Polish Power System

We are a guarantor of security and stability of the power system in Poland – today and in the future. We feel responsible for the security of future generations.

Being aware of the condition of national infrastructure, challenges and trends that affect the development of the system, we undertake new build and upgrade projects in order to ensure its stability and security.

Our activities help to improve the operation of the PPS and to optimise energy costs incurred by consumers.

We are an energy company that initiates and implements solutions that enable the execution of national plans related to the power system.

We make purchases from local Polish suppliers – we run the business locally and thus have a positive influence on the development of the Polish economy.

Thanks to the services provided, PSE supports the development of industry in Poland – creating infrastructure and providing facilities for business development.

Stable operation of the Polish Power System

45,939 MW
Combined installed capacity w the PPS in 2018
45,650 MW
Maximum capacity in the PPS in 2018.
26,448 MW
Maximum power demand in the PPS in 2018.
165,214 GWh
National gross electricity production in 2018, which represents a decrease of 0.38 percent compared with 2017.
170,932 GWh
National consumption of electricity in 2018, which represents an increase of 1.66 percent compared with 2017.
98,118.45 GWh
Quantity of electricity supplied from the transmission network to domestic transmission service customers in 2018, including:
- 95,100,95 GWh
  of energy supplied to DSOs,
- 3,017.50 GWh
  of energy supplied to final consumers.
264.24 MWh
ENS (Energy Not Supplied by the system

99.99%
electricity supply continuity index in 2017-2018. The level of this index confirms the certainty of power supply to all our transmission service customers.
45.77 (minutes)
AIT (Average Interruption Time in the system) – 45.77 (minutes). Low levels of both ratios in 2018 testify to a high level of operational reliability of the transmission system and the certainty of supply to consumers connected to our network
1.48 %
Transmission loss rate. In 2018 it was the lowest ever.
99.90 %
Availability index for transmission facilities (DYSU) in 2018. It reached a high value at reference value of ≥ 97.5 percent; In 2017, it was 99.77 percent.
PLN 1,810.3 m
Capital expenditure incurred in 2018.
147
Number of network infrastructure investment implemented in 2019.
PLN 12.8 bn
Capital expenditure planned until 2027.

Management of the power system in Poland

Ensuring common access to electricity requires an efficiently operating system for its generation, conversion, transmission and distribution. All equipment connected to the system, including consumers’ facilities, forms the Polish Power System.

The power system is a special type of critical infrastructure, as it determines the security of society, economy and the state.

A power system operates in every country of the world. Almost everywhere – in Poland as well – power systems are centrally controlled. Operation of the Polish Power System is the responsibility of the National Power Dispatch Centre, i.e. PSE dispatching service.

How does the power system work?

GRI 103-1

The Polish Power System (PPS) consists of three subsystems responsible for specific functions.

Electricity generation ─ electric energy production by generating sources in the power system – power plants, CHP plants and distributed sources.
Electricity transmission ─ performed over the transmission network in order to deliver electric energy to distribution networks or transmission-connected consumers. Electricity transmission is performed by the transmission system operator whose functions are performed by PSE.
Electricity distribution ─ delivery of electric energy over distribution networks to institutional and individual distribution-connected consumers. Electricity distribution is performed by distribution system operators.

Learn more

Power System

Cross-border interconnections

The Polish Power System operates:

synchronously with the ENTSO-E Continental Europe countries (formerly UCTE),
with dedicated units of the Dobrotvir power plant in the Ukrainian system,
non-synchronously with the Swedish system via the DC submarine cable,
non-synchronously with the Lithuanian system via the back-to-back DC link.

Synchronous interconnections

Western border (Poland-Germany)

Krajnik-Vierraden 400 kV double-circuit line – the line in an interim configuration (1 line circuit and 2 serially-connected phase shifters on the German side),
Mikułowa-Hagenwerder 400 kV double-circuit line with a phase shifter in Mikułowa.

Southern border (Poland-Czech Republic)

Wielopole/Dobrzeń-Nosovice/Albrechtice 400 kV double-circuit line,
Kopanina/Bujaków-Liskovec 220 kV double-circuit line.

Southern border (Poland-Slovakia)

Krosno Iskrzynia-Lemesany 400 kV double-circuit line.

Non-synchronous interconnections

Northern border (Poland-Sweden)

Słupsk Wierzbięcino-Storno 450 kV DC cable line with a capacity of 600 MW.

Eastern border (Poland-Lithuania)

400 kV double-circuit line interconnected with the Lithuanian system via the back-to-back DC link with a capacity of 500 MW.

Other interconnections

Eastern border (Poland-Ukraine)

Zamość-Dobrotvir 220 kV single-circuit line operating in coordination with dedicated generating units on the Ukrainian side (the interconnection allows only electricity import to Poland).
The Rzeszów-Chmielnicka 750 kV single-circuit line is temporarily shut down. Re-commissioning of the line is being considered after the future character of its operation is agreed with the Ukrainian side.

Sweden

Northern border (Poland-Sweden)

Słupsk Wierzbięcino-Storno 450 kV DC cable line with a capacity of 600 MW.

Germany

Western border (Poland-Germany)

Krajnik-Vierraden 400 kV double-circuit line – the line in an interim configuration (1 line circuit and 2 serially-connected phase shifters on the German side),

Mikułowa-Hagenwerder 400 kV double-circuit line with a phase shifter in Mikułowa.

Czech Republic

Southern border (Poland-Czech Republic)

Wielopole/Dobrzeń-Nosovice/Albrechtice 400 kV double-circuit line,

Kopanina/Bujaków-Liskovec 220 kV double-circuit line.

Slovakia

Southern border (Poland-Slovakia)

Krosno Iskrzynia-Lemesany 400 kV double-circuit line.

Ukraine

Eastern border (Poland-Ukraine)

Zamość-Dobrotvir 220 kV single-circuit line operating in coordination with dedicated generating units on the Ukrainian side (the interconnection allows only electricity import to Poland).

The Rzeszów-Chmielnicka 750 kV single-circuit line is temporarily shut down. Re-commissioning of the line is being considered after the future character of its operation is agreed with the Ukrainian side.

Lithuania

Eastern border (Poland-Lithuania)

400 kV double-circuit line interconnected with the Lithuanian system via the back-to-back DC link with a capacity of 500 MW.

Russia

Belarus

750kV

450 kV DC

400kV

220kV

Back-to-back DC tie

Phase shifter

Line being upgraded from 220 kV to 400 kV

Cross-border interconnection being upgraded

Radial line

Fig. 1. Cross-border interconnectors

Transmission system management in the PPS

Transmission network operation management takes into account the needs of electricity consumers throughout the country.

Network operation management is the responsibility of:

transmission system operator ( TSO ) – responsible for operation management of the transmission network and exercises decision-making rights relating to network operation in a coordinated 110 kV network, and relating to security of electricity supply;
distribution system operator ( DSO ) – responsible for network operation management in the distribution network, for which it is the operator, taking into account the TSO's decision-making rights.

The parties participating in network operation management in a meshed network include also generators, consumers, transmission and distribution undertakings other than system operators, whose devices, facilities or networks are directly connected to a meshed network.

Meshed network includes a TSO-managed transmission network and an DSO-managed coordinated 110 kV network, with the TSO's decision-making rights.

Day-to-day power network security is ensured by hierarchically organised TSO and DSO dispatch services as well as generators' and consumers' O&M services.

The Polish Power System is organised into the following hierarchy of dispatch services:

National Dispatch Centre (Krajowa Dyspozycja Mocy – KDM) – manages the operation of the 750, 400, 220 kV transmission network as well as selected 110 kV lines of system-wide significance,
Area Dispatch Centre (Obszarowa Dyspozycja Mocy – ODM) – manages the operation of the 750, 400, 220 and 110 kV transmission network and switching operations,
Central Dispatch Centres (Centralne Dyspozycje Mocy – CDMs), Branch Dispatch Centres (Oddziałowe Centra Dyspozytorskie – OCDs) – manage the operation of the 110 kV distribution network and switching operations in the 110 kV and lower-voltage distribution network.

The TSO dispatch services cooperate directly with the DSO dispatch services (Central Dispatch Centres, Branch Dispatch Centres), and O&M personnel of enterprises dealing with electricity generation (Duty Power Plant Operation Engineer – Dyżurny Inżynier Ruchu Elektrowni – DIRE). The cooperation is based on the Transmission Network Code.

Fig. 2. Organisation of dispatch services in Poland

The TSO's cooperation with transmission system operators of the neighbouring countries in network operation management is based on the rules described in the ENTSO-E/UCTE network codes and conditions laid down in bilateral agreements.

Balancing capacity demand in the power system

GRI 103-2

Economic development of the country is associated with an increase of electricity demand. This makes it necessary to have appropriate generating and transmission capacity to ensure the security of supply.

In order to ensure generating capacity necessary to meet demand, we perform, as transmission system operator, the coordination planning process for different time horizons. The process covers annual, monthly and daily coordination plans.

We prepare coordination plans in the form of:

annual plans – for a period of up to 3 years,
monthly plans,
daily planning processes including:
- preliminary daily plans,
- daily plans,
- current daily plans,
- daily technical-trading balances.

The schedule of planning activities and the scope of forecasted and published data are set forth in the (Transmission Network Code).

The plans are intended to ensure the maintenance of surplus capacity levels required in a given period, available in excess of forecasted demand. This can be achieved through coordination of plans of generating unit repairs and outages of meshed network elements, taking into account plant and network constraints and planned cross-border exchange constraints.

In order to ensure the continuity of electricity supply and balance the system even in unfavourable conditions, in periods of peak electricity demand we use:

available capacity of generation units which are not centrally dispatched,
additional capacity of power plants operating in overload, i.e. at a capacity higher than nominal (providing ancillary services),
intervention power supply from pumped storage plants which allow power demand to be balanced (as part of ancillary services) within a short period (2-4 hours),
dispatch electricity exchange with the neighbouring TSOs,
cold intervention reserve,
reduction of demand on instructions from the TSO, i.e. the Demand Sie Response (DSR) service.

Activities promoting dependable operation of the transmission system

In order to ensure the secure and cost-effective operation of the system, in particular to ensure the required dependability/quality parameters of power system operation, PSE purchases ancillary services.

Ancillary services:

Regulation ancillary services (RAS):
- operating cold reserve,
- share in primary control,
- share in secondary control,
- underload or overload operation,
- participation in automatic voltage and reactive power control,
The Generating Unit activation service (activation service).
Regulation ancillary services involving the intervention reserve:
- contingency operation,
- intervention cold reserve.
- reduction of demand on instructions from the TSO,

nJWCD reliability-must-run service (RMR service).
Polish Power System restoration service.

Ancillary services and the generating unit activation service

are provided by units dispatched by the TSO. TSOs conclude RAS contracts and activation service contracts with all generators that have Centrally Dispatched Generating Units. In 2018, PSE concluded 11 contracts for the provision of RAS services including activation services.

Regulation ancillary services involving the intervention reserve

are activated on instructions from the TSO and are used to intervene to maintain the capacity balance throughout the PPS or – having regard to the network operation conditions – in its selected areas, in order to ensure operational security of the PPS.

In 2018, PSE concluded 2 contracts for the provision of contingency operation service, 2 contracts for the provision of the intervention cold reserve service, and 23 contracts for the provision of the DSR service.

nJWCD reliability-must-run services

are one of the tools used by the TSO to ensure the secure operation of the PPS and the active power and reactive power generation volume at individual “network nodes” (nodes or areas containing specific nodes). In 2018, PSE concluded reliability-must-run contracts concluded with 8 generators.

The Polish Power System restoration services

consist in ensuring readiness to start-up a power plant without external power supply and continuous operation in islanding mode and readiness to execute the TSO’s instructions to start-up additional power plants and to expand the island. The services are purchased by the TSO in the event of a large system-wide failure resulting in a blackout throughout the PPS or in its substantial part. In 2018, PSE concluded PPS restoration service contracts with 4 generators.

Learn more about DSR Intervention Programs

Security and continuity of supply

Performance for key system operation dependability indicators

System operation dependability indicators

Indicators that characterise the continuity of supply and duration of outages ( ENS and AIT ) have been calculated for a group of points of supply comprising final consumers and power distribution system operators who have one transmission network supply point. Outage of a point of supply of those customers results in interruption of electricity supply from the transmission network.

To determine the dependability of network operation in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations, the ENS and AIT indicators are calculated for emergency outages.

ENS in lieu of GRI EU28 AIT in lieu of GRI EU29
ENS, AIT indicators for emergency outages*

Unit

ENS

MWh

AIT

minutes

0.00

125.22

0.00

20.72

0.00

*The values of the ENS and AIT indicators presented in the table have been calculated for unscheduled (emergency) outages and do not include scheduled outages.

In 2018, no incidents were reported, leading to interruptions of power supply to consumers at transmission network supply points, referred to above.

In 2017, one emergency outage occurred, which resulted in a 3-hour interruption of power supply to one of consumers fed from the transmission network. The outage was caused by an emergency manual disconnection of feeder lines. The reason for the power cut was an unauthorised person having climbed a 220 kV power line tower. The shutting down of other equipment, lines and transformers connected with the incident site was dictated by safety concerns.

In 2016, as in 2018, no incidents were reported, leading to interruptions of power supply to consumers at transmission network supply points.

Low levels of the ENS and AIT indicators testify to a high level of operational dependability of the transmission network managed by PSE and the certainty of supply to consumers connected to the network.

ENS in lieu of GRI EU28 AIT in lieu of GRI EU29
ENS and AIT indicators for all outages (planned and emergency)*

Unit

ENS

MWh

AIT

minutes

264.24

671.64

425.10

45.77

111.15

84.44

*The ENS and AIT values have been calculated for emergency and scheduled outages resulting from necessary scheduled repair and maintenance work on transmission network elements supplying power to consumers.

The ENS and AIT values remaining at a steady low level, and even their significant reduction in 2018 compared with 2017, has a positive effect on the confidence of consumers connected to the transmission network. The reduction of the number and duration of planned interruptions in electricity supply to consumers results, among other things, from the implementation of a system optimising the schedule of repair and maintenance work on transmission network elements supplying power to consumers. In the case of scheduled outages, PSE performs shutdowns at times agreed with consumers, usually in periods of no power consumption declared by consumers. Thanks to this, during outage periods, consumers adjust their demand or use other methods of electricity supply (e.g. from the DSO’s network).

Electricity supply continuity index (WCD)

In order to determine the continuity of electricity supply, the WCD index is calculated.

Maintaining the supply continuity indexes at a high level results from the transmission assets maintenance and repair policy adopted by the TSO.

The quantity of electrical energy not supplied to transmission service customers in a year has been calculated taking into account both scheduled and unscheduled cuts in electricity supply to consumers. The indicator of total quantity of electrical energy supplied from the transmission network during a year used in the calculation represents the volume of electricity taken from the transmission network at all supply sites by final consumers and distribution system operators connected to the transmission network.

The values of the WCD index in 2016-2018 are shown in the table below.

In-house indicator
Electricity supply continuity index*

2018

2017

2016

Electricity supply continuity index (in %)

99.9997

99.9993

99.9995

*The supply continuity index represents the certainty of power supply to all consumers connected to the transmission network.

Maintaining the supply continuity indexes at a high level results from the transmission assets maintenance and repair policy adopted by the TSO.

Measures taken by PSE in order to maintain continuity of electricity supply to consumers:

Development of long- and short-term network operation coordination plans. Time schedules of both maintenance work and repair work on network elements and generating units so as to ensure the maintenance of surplus power levels required in a given period, available in excess of forecasted demand, and to ensure compliance with the required secure network operation criteria, including the reliability criterion (n-1).
Development and implementation of a single maintenance model that allows the state of repair of equipment and its operational environment to be evaluated in a cyclic, standardised and measurable manner. Owing to those activities, the most depreciated and oldest grid assets – the potential source of emergency and fault conditions – are preventively replaced.
Implementation of the maintenance personnel development programme. It supports continuous competence building of the company's own maintenance personnel, including field personnel.
Undertaking investment activities. Optimises the loading of transmission lines and eliminates overloads of transmission system elements.
Systematic standardisation of network equipment and creation of storage facilities. Supports quick and cost-effective necessary replacements.
Close cooperation and making arrangements with transmission service customers at each stage, i.e. from planning to execution.

Electric energy losses in the transmission process, showing loss causes

GRI EU12

Electric energy losses in the transmission process, showing loss causes

2018

2017

2016

Technical losses in MWh

1 611 270

1 669 042

1 684 995

Non-technical losses in MW
(e.g. illegal consumption of electricity)

0

Transmission losses as percentage
of total energy fed into the system
(G.10.7 official data)*

1.48

1.60

1.62

*The value does not include energy consumed by substation auxiliaries.

Technical transmission losses are related, among other things, to network operational configuration, electricity demand and the quantity of electricity transmitted in cross-border exchange.

Development of the transmission system

GRI 103-1

The provision of the necessary quantity of electricity to all consumers is key to ensuring sustainable development of the national economy. We seek to ensure that the transmission system provides reliable electricity supply both currently and in the future. It is our responsibility.

PSE’s key and foremost task is to ensure security of electricity supply – both currently and in the long term. Our company must also create conditions for connection to the transmission network and power evacuation from new power plants and RES, as well as develop cross-border interconnections. To perform those tasks effectively, an efficient and well-developed network infrastructure is necessary – power lines and electrical substations. For this reason, the investment area related to transmission infrastructure is of great significance.

Learn more

Improving the new infrastructure investment implementation model

GRI 103-2

PSE implements network investment projects, being aware of the challenges and trends affecting the current and future needs of the system.

Selected trends driving a change of the needs of the power system:

The increasing share of unstable sources in the Polish energy mix complicates the transmission network management process.
The Polish power system stands at the threshold of a potential revolution in the automotive industry, which may lead to a significant increase in energy demand.
Historical centres of electricity supply and demand are shifting due to the support being given to distributed sources.

All the above factors hinder the long-term development planning of the transmission network.

To respond to the market needs, we have been improving the investment implementation model, thus contributing to a higher security of energy supply and rationalisation of expenditure, which means a reduced financial burden on consumers.

Network Investment Portfolio

In order to ensure more efficient implementation of projects in 2018, PSE cyclically updated the Investment Portfolio forming one of the key tools used for investment project management. The projects included in the Investment Portfolio are grouped, categorised, prioritised and sequenced for implementation taking into account specific system conditions related to the possibility of required outages of transmission network elements.

The Network Investment Portfolio consists of transmission network construction, expansion and upgrade projects for which:

agreements have been signed with contractors,
the public contract notice has been published,
the contract award decision has been made.

Strategic programmes

The Network Investment Portfolio includes six strategic programmes and three area programmes.

Programme 1.
Power evacuation from Kozienice Power Plant including the improvement of power supply conditions in north-eastern Poland 11 projects, PLN 573.2 m of total contracted budget as at 30 August 2019.

Programme 2.
Power evacuation from Turów Power Plant including the improvement of power supply conditions in south-western Poland 16 projects, PLN 711.6 m of total contracted budget as at 30 June 2019.

Programme 3.
Power evacuation from Dolna Odra Power Plant and RES including the improvement of power supply conditions in north-eastern Poland: 22 projects, PLN 1,086.7 m of total contracted budget as at 30 June 2019.

Programme 4.
Power evacuation from RES including the improvement of power supply conditions in northern Poland: 14 projects, PLN 2,139.4 m of total contracted budget as at 30 June 2019.

Programme 5.
Power evacuation from Bełchatów Power Plant including the improvement of power supply conditions in central Poland: 9 projects, PLN 133, 05 m of total contracted budget as at 9 August 2019.

Programme 9.
Strategic programme “Construction of Submarine Interconnectors and Energy Storage Facilities”: 2 projects that have not yet been contracted.

Area programmes

Programme 6.
Area Programme North: 31 projects, PLN 1,338.2 m of total contracted budget as at 30 August 2019.

Programme 7.
Regional Programme South: 30 projects, PLN 1,028.9 m of total contracted budget as at 30 August 2019.

Programme 8.
Formal completion of investment projects: 12 projects, PLN 2,789.9 m total contracted budget as at 30 June 2019.

Key figures

147

projects

under strategic and area programmes

9.81

PLN bn

total contracted budget for projects under the Network Investment Portfolio

26

contractors

for construction and erection works, supplies and services

Learn the network investment preparation stages

Stages of network investment preparation

What do we need?

Preparation of an investment plan based on power requirements and connection applications.
Technical parameters

Definition of the technical parameters of expected outcomes and the area covered.
Preparation of preliminary variants

Preparation of preliminary variants of project implementation. Consultations with commune authorities.
Consultation and information process

Meetings for residents of communes and villages, collecting opinions of local communities.
Optimum route selection

Making adjustments and selecting the optimum route having regard to social, environmental, technical and economic considerations.
Detailed planning

Adoption of a detailed route plan and implementation variant.
Obtaining the right to use land

Negotiations with property owners in order to acquire land for substations or transmission easement for a line.
Incorporation in commune planning

Incorporation in local planning, unless already made, or obtaining a decision on the location of a public utility project.
Environmental report

Submission of the environmental impact report and obtaining the decision on environmental conditions.
Building permit

Obtaining the building permit.

Tab. 1. Investment projects of key significance for the operation of the transmission system included in the Network Investment Portfolio as at 30 June 2019.

No. Project title

PACKAGE 1

1	Construction of the 400 kV Kozienice-Miłosna line
2	Expansion of the 400/220/110 kV Miłosna substation

PACKAGE 2

1	Construction of the 400 kV Jasiniec-Grudziądz Węgrowo line
2	Construction of the 400 kV Pątnów-Jasiniec line
3	Expansion of the 220/110 kV Jasiniec substation by adding 400 kV switchgear
4	Expansion of the 400/220/110 kV Pątnów substation together with the 400kV Kromolice - Pątnów line entry

PACKAGE 3

1	Construction of the Gdańsk Przyjaźń-Żydowo Kierzkowo 400 kV line
2	Construction of the 400 kV Żydowo Kierzkowo-Słupsk line
3	Construction of the Żydowo Kierzkowo 400/110 kV substation including 220/110 kV transformer installation
4	Construction of the Gdańsk Przyjaźń 400/110 kV substation including the entry of one circuit of the Gdańsk Błonia-Żarnowiec 400 kV line

PACKAGE 4

1	Replacement of existing autotransformer at the 220/110kV Kopanina substation with 275 MVA units
2	Installation of second autotransformer at the 220/110 kV Siersza substation

PACKAGE 5

1	Construction of the 400 kV Mikułowa-Czarna line
2	Construction of the 400 kV Czarna-Pasikurowice line
3	Expansion of the 400/220/110 kV Mikułowa substation for 400kV line entry
4	Expansion of the 400/110 kV Pasikurowice substation in connection with the 400kV line entry and replacement of 400/110kV transformer

PACKAGE 6

1	Construction of the 400 kV Baczyna-Krajnik line
2	Expansion of the 400/220/110 kV Plewiska substation in connection with the 400 kV line entry and installation of reactive compensation equipment
3	Construction of the 400 kV Baczyna-Plewiska line
4	Construction of the 400/110 kV Baczyna substation together with the 400 kV Krajnik-Plewiska line entry
5	Expansion of the 400/110 kV Baczyna substation in connection with the 400 kV Baczyna-Plewiska line entry and installation of reactive compensation devices

OTHER PROJECTS

1	Construction of the 400 kV line including change of the EHV network configuration between Warsaw agglomeration and Siedlce
2	Construction of the 220/110 kV Praga (Żerań) substation including the 220 kV Miłosna-Mory line entry
3	Construction of the 400 kV Ostrołęka-Stanisławów line together with expansion of the 400 kV Stanisławów substation and 400/220/110 kV Ostrołęka substation including 400(220)/110 kV Wyszków substation entry
4	Suspension of the second 400 kV circuit of the Ostrów-Kromolice line
5	Construction of the Poland-Lithuania HVDC cable interconnector

In 2018, eleven tendering procedures were held for construction and erection works involving the implementation of infrastructural projects in which selected NMRI elements were used, with 8 contracts concluded for the implementation of investment projects:

4 public procedures for construction works, which ended with entering into a contract with the selected contractor:
- Construction of the 400/110 kV Baczyna substation
- Construction of the 400 kV Baczyna-Plewiska power line
- Construction of the 400 kV including change of EHV network configuration between Warsaw agglomeration and Siedlce
- Construction of the 400 kV Ostrołęka-Stanisławów line including expansion of the 400 kV Stanisławów substation and the 400/220/110 kV Ostrołęka substation - Stage II
7 public procedures for construction works, which ended with entering into a contract with a contractor:
- Upgrade of the 220 kV Kielce-Rożki line,
- Expansion of the (400)/220/110 kV Skawina substation for connection of Unit 3 at Skawina Power Plant,
- Upgrade of the 220 kV Janów-Zgierz-Adamów line – Stage I,
- Upgrade of the 220 kV Janów-Rogowiec, Rogowiec-Piotrków line.

Capital expenditure incurred

GRI 203-1
We have adopted strategic and area programmes and select a package of investment projects for them to ensure the effective performance of strategic objectives based on sustainable development of the national transmission system. In doing so, we take into account the current conditions – especially system and formal/legal conditions of project implementation.

Formalities and legal issues related to line construction projects take 80 percent of the contract time, whereas the line construction phase itself accounts for no more than 20 percent.

Tab. 2. Capital expenditure incurred by Plan group (amounts)

Description	Expenditure (in PLN m)
Description	2018	2017	2016
ICT	45,8	33,9	37,3
Construction and expansion of power lines and substations	1 728,3	1 250,8	1 024,3
Upgrade of substations and power lines	1 728,3	150,2	136,5
Buildings and structures	3,6	1,4	1,8
Purchase of finished capital goods	8,1	7,3	4,4
Investment preparation / investment proposals for conditional or later implementation	0,9	9,7	8,9
Purchase of grid assets	0,1	0,6	3,7
Provision	23,5	6,5	-
Total	1 810,3	1 460,4	1 216,9

1,810.3

PLN m

total capital expenditure incurred for the implementation of investment projects and proposals in 2018.

Maintaining the transmission network

We are the owner of a transmission network consisting of over 14,695 km of extra-high voltage lines and 106 electrical substations. The availability of our grid assets largely determines the operational security of the whole system. Therefore, we maintain the transmission network in a state of repair and operational setup meeting the applicable requirements.

Our network infrastructure also includes a 450 kV submarine cable line of 127 km in length. The length of the entire line connecting Poland with Sweden is 254 km.

Tab. 3. Overhead (above-ground) lines

GRI EU4 Length and number of underground power transmission lines
2018			2017
Voltage	Length (in km) converted to 1 circuit	Number	Voltage	Length (in km) converted to 1 circuit	Number
750 kV	114 km	1	750 kV	114 km	1
400 kV	6 826 km	102	400 kV	6 326 km	93
220 kV	7 755 km	164	220 kV	7 755 km	164
110 kV	75 km	34	110 kV	71 km	32

Tab. 4. Length and number of power transmission lines

GRI EU4 Length and number of underground power transmission lines
2018			2017
Voltage	Length (in km) converted to 1 circuit	Number	Voltage	Length (in km) converted to 1 circuit	Number
450 kV DC	submarine 450 kV DC Poland- Sweden link with a total length of 254 km (of which 127 km belongs to PSE)	1	450 kV DC	submarine 450 kV DC Poland- Sweden link with a total length of 254 km (of which 127 km belongs to PSE)	1

Tab. 5. Number and capacity of transformers

Transformation ratio in kV/kV		Transformers in 2018		Transformers in 2017
Transformation ratio in kV/kV		Number (units)	Capacity (MVA)		Capacity (MVA)
750/400	installed	2	2 502	2	2 502
750/400	spare inventory	-	-	-	-
400/220	installed	30	16 790	29	16 120
400/220	spare inventory	-	-	-	-
400/110	installed	52	16 578	54	17 078
400/110	spare inventory	3	736	1	236
220/110	installed	120	20 450	121	20 335
220/110	spare inventory	3	480	2	320
Total	installed	204	56 320	206	56 035
Total	spare inventory	6	1 216	3	556

The condition of the transmission network is confirmed by a high transmission equipment overall availability factor ( DYSU ) which reached 99.90 percent in 2018 compared with 99.77 in 2017.

Tab. 6. Transmission equipment availability factor – DYSU

In-house indicator Transmission equipment availability factor – DYSU (in percent)	Jan-Dec 2018 [%]	Jan-Dec 2017 [%]	Jan-Dec 2016 [%]	Reference value of the transmission equipment availability factor (internal calc.) [%]
Category L1 transmission line availability factor [DL1]	99,97	99,77	99,64
Category L2 transmission line availability factor [DL2]	99,92	99,58	99,63
Generator outgoing line availability factor [DLB]	100,00	99,99	99,99
Transformer availability factor for Category S11 substations [DS11]	99,85	99,85	99,85
Transformer availability factor for Category S22 substations [DS22]	99,76	99,67	99,59
DYSU	99,90	99,77	99,74	≥ 97,5

Tab. 7. Legal status of PSE’s real properties on which grid assets are situated

PSE’s grid assets are situated on real properties with the following legal status:	Area (in m²)
Ownership	2 531 725
Joint ownership	4 489
Perpetual usufruct right	5 403 597
Share in perpetual usufruct	4 399,50
Right of possession	881
Total	7 945 091,50

Tab. 8. ICT assets (forming part of the network infrastructure)

Information and communication technology (ICT) assets (forming part of the network infrastructure)	Number
Fibre optic and telecommunication lines (including optical fibres as components of power lines)	476
IT hardware	12 079
Signal transmission and telecommunication devices	3 627
Devices forming part of power supply systems and air-conditioning systems and measuring instruments.	1 600
Licences, copyrights and proprietary rights	2 740

Management of the network maintenance process

GRI 103-2

The network infrastructure maintenance process is based on the grid asset maintenance model. The model, together with the “Instructions for the Organisation and Execution of Maintenance Work on Lines and Substations” is a set of overriding principles that govern the process of grid asset maintenance in the area of organisation, planning, execution, documentation and billing of maintenance work.

The asset maintenance model has been developed on the basis of the PdM (Predictive Maintenance) methodology, i.e. maintenance technique based on the prediction of needs. It combines regular measurements of the state of repair taking into account the expected operation quality results (diagnostic results). The main focus is placed on diagnostic work providing a basis for a measurable result of the state of repair of individual pieces of network equipment.

GRI 103-1

In the network maintenance process, we use the Asset Management IT process.. It covers the entire maintenance process, i.e. a complex database of assets, registration of events, work planning and execution, contract management and warehouse management. Owing to this, all the above-mentioned operations are performed at a very high level of detail necessary to ensure the expected support to the decision-making process in the grid assets maintenance area.

Owing to the fact that PSE’s assets are dispersed across the country, a geographic information system (GIS) is necessary for its proper management. The Spatial Information System (System Informacji Przestrzennej – SIP) used for the purpose at PSE, based on the ArcGIS platform, allows e.g. the impact of the external environment on the transmission network operation to be analysed. It provides key support in identifying the dependability of linear right-of-way facilities and allows precise targeting of inputs and expenditure on PSE’s network infrastructure maintenance in the expected state of repair.

Maintenance of grid assets requires support from IT systems, but the core effort of the whole process is based on our company’s field teams based at five field subunits of the Maintenance Department: in Warsaw, Radom, Katowice, Poznań and Bydgoszcz. Owing to a significant geographical distribution of assets, the field units are additionally subdivided into 28 Field Maintenance Divisions. Through their work, field employees ensure the security of operating as well as diagnostic and maintenance activities. Through their involvement in protecting and identifying network failure locations, they also serve as a power emergency service for the purposes of the transmission network operator. The competence and specialised skills of the employees of Field Maintenance Divisions are maintained at a high level owing to systematic technological training. Besides, owing to the maintenance personnel development programme launched, the training provided is comprehensive and systematic.

Training based on the Polish Power System simulator deployed at PSE is a unique feature in the Polish market. The training improves operating skills – especially through the simulation of emergency states in the transmission and TSO-coordinated networks.

Maintenance, both diagnostic and preventive, is carried out under the annual Technical Services Plan (Plan Usług Technicznych – PUT). The Plan provides mainly for diagnostic procedures necessary to maintain the expected level of knowledge on the state of repair of equipment, but it also covers above-standard work resulting from analyses of the condition of equipment based on the rules specified in the maintenance model. As the power network is a “living” and changing structure, the PUT is modified in the course of the year due to the need to perform unscheduled and emergency work. Maintenance work is carried out first by the company’s own maintenance crews. In cases which exceeded PSE’s personnel capacity or require the involvement of a unique (e.g. manufacturer’s) maintenance service, maintenance work is performed by third-party contractors.

Where further maintenance of an asset is financially unviable or may lead to an increased probability of network failure, replacement work is carried out on the asset concerned. Depending on the complexity, technology and scope, such work is classified as an upgrade or repair and is preceded by an in-depth analysis of the needs and scope. Upgrading work is performed in compliance with the investment process adopted by the company.

Key figures

123 415,7

PLN k

Costs incurred for maintenance and repair tasks in 2018, including:

98 768,7

PLN k

Maintenance of grid assets

24 647

PLN k

Repair projects

Stable operation of the Polish Power System

Stable operation of the Polish Power System

Management of the power system in Poland

Power System

Activities promoting dependable operation of the transmission system

Learn more about DSR Intervention Programs Security and continuity of supply

Performance for key system operation dependability indicators

Development of the transmission system

Improving the new infrastructure investment implementation model

Stages of network investment preparation

What do we need?

Technical parameters

Preparation of preliminary variants

Consultation and information process

Optimum route selection

Detailed planning

Obtaining the right to use land

Incorporation in commune planning

Environmental report

Building permit

Tab. 1. Investment projects of key significance for the operation of the transmission system included in the Network Investment Portfolio as at 30 June 2019. No. Project title

Maintaining the transmission network

Learn more about DSR Intervention Programs

Security and continuity of supply

Tab. 1. Investment projects of key significance for the operation of the transmission system included in the Network Investment Portfolio as at 30 June 2019.

No. Project title