Mariusz Podkański: we are a partner, not just a network operator

Before we get into the details, I need to ask one thing: what is a smart grid? What is this phenomenon?

In short, a smart power grid is an observable, controllable network that operates online, here and now. When we talk about these elements, we mean an intelligent distribution network, i.e. a modern power grid.

And how does it differ from the traditional web that we still often encounter – from the user’s perspective?

So far, power networks were based on devices that did not transmit information in real time. Today, thanks to the installation of modern solutions, primarily devices collecting online data, the situation is different.

These include: remote reading meters and data transmission systems that allow us to directly obtain information from these meters. On the other side, we have devices and algorithms capable of analyzing this data. In addition, there are SCADA systems – tools used by dispatchers to manage traffic in the distribution and power grids. This is a fundamental difference compared to what was standard a few or a dozen years ago.

Today, this information is necessary for the ongoing management of the power system – it enables quick troubleshooting and system balancing. They are also crucial in the context of managing network flexibility and its use in everyday work.

Speaking of flexibility – to what extent is an intelligent power grid needed today to handle the growing volume of energy from renewable energy sources or the development of electromobility? Is this the direction we need to go?

We have no choice – we have to move in this direction. Remote reading meters, LTE technologies, SCADA systems, ongoing access to information and its immediate analysis – all this is necessary today.

It is about both ongoing monitoring of demand and energy production, and finding solutions that will allow for the efficient use of energy – not only from renewable energy sources, but from all sources where it is produced. We must be able to manage the system in such a way as to properly adjust production on the one hand, and demand on the other. In other words: properly balance the volume of production with the volume of consumption.

Today, this current information is absolutely necessary for the stable and safe operation of the power system.

The PGE Group’s strategies show a great emphasis on the development of distribution. What does the term “network development” mean in practice?

As for PGE Dystrybucja, last year, this year and subsequent years were – as you noticed – a period of very large investments. These are investments aimed primarily at the development of networks, in particular medium and low voltage, but also high voltage networks. As part of these activities, we largely carry out the cabling process.

This concerns the cabling of long runs of medium-voltage networks, which have recently generated the most problems and at the same time affected the SAIDI and SAIFI indicators – key measures of the quality of energy supply to our customers.

On the other hand, these investments increase connection possibilities – both for electricity consumers and for its producers, especially in the area of ​​renewable energy sources.

Poland allocates tens of billions of zlotys to energy networks – both transmission and distribution. How much of this “energy boom” is actually taken over by PGE Dystrybucja?

Last year, we completed investments amounting to approximately PLN four billion. This is a very large scale. 2026 won’t be any worse. The resources we have for contracting – and then for the implementation and acceptance of work by contractors – are one scale higher. And most likely this is not the end. We expect further growth in capital expenditure in the coming years.

Financing these activities comes from both own funds and aid funds and EU subsidies. All these funds are directed towards investments that are key to the development of the power system – improving power supply stability and enabling the energy transformation. This, in turn, has a direct impact on the country’s economic development.

Where are the most urgent needs today when it comes to the development of a smart power grid?

It is difficult to determine which needs are most urgent and which are less important – much less which are not urgent.

And which ones enable further development of the system in the first place?

Each time we invest funds in the network, we perform a detailed needs analysis. We look from several perspectives.

Firstly, on connection issues, i.e. the needs related to connecting new customers and modernizing the distribution network.

Secondly, we analyze areas where the network is already worn out and requires modernization or replacement to keep up with new technologies.

Thirdly, we take into account the distribution of demand to improve the stability of power supply to consumers. For this purpose, we are strengthening key power supply lines.

At the same time – or rather at the same time – we are increasing connection possibilities, both for energy consumers and its producers, in particular in the area of ​​renewable energy sources.

Do you see any bottlenecks or potential problems in the development of the energy network today? I am thinking primarily about the issue of price increases.

The bottlenecks that we can already see today result primarily from the fact that not only we, as PGE Dystrybucja, but also other distribution system operators have funds for investments.

Contractors may not be able to keep up with this large investment front – both in terms of access to construction companies, equipment and materials. This huge investment program in the energy sector has already started and is currently ongoing. Each operator carries out and contracts subsequent tasks that must be performed by the market.

We see potential bottlenecks primarily in terms of implementation capabilities – both on the side of companies implementing investments and on the resources side, including on our side as an investor. In addition, there is the issue of availability of materials and switching equipment. Today, every investment project requires this type of components, and their production and availability on the market are becoming a key element of the entire investment process.

The network you are talking about collects data, analyzes it and is better controllable. To what extent does such an intelligent network change the role of PGE Dystrybucja – from an electricity supplier to a system manager?

Today’s conditions mean that we are not, as is often simplified, just an energy supplier or distributor. We are, above all, a partner. And a partner for the client.

I deliberately use the word “customer” here, not “recipient” or “producer”, because both those who consume energy and connect to us, and those who produce it, are our customers. With the change in the operating model of the power system and the development of the network and energy mix, the role of distribution system operators is also changing.

Today, instead of just a distribution function, we act as a partner in conversation with all entities that come to us and want to join us – in different ways and under different conditions. We are looking for optimal solutions – both from the perspective of the distribution system operator and the entities that cooperate with us.