Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne (PSE) has signed an agreement with Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego for a PLN 10.8 billion loan from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (KPO). This is the largest amount obtained so far by PSE as part of European Union funding. The funds will be used to expand the extra-high voltage infrastructure throughout the country.
– Today we are talking about huge investments in stable transmission networks, which are possible thanks to the KPO funds that have been unlocked. These are investments in the energy security of every Polish family and the entire country – said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a press conference after the agreement was signed.
The loan will finance the construction of new and modernization of existing transmission lines and stations used to transmit power from new low-emission generation sources, renewable energy sources, and energy storage facilities, as well as to increase the country’s energy security. These investments will contribute to the country’s economic development and the reliable operation of the power system. The project also aims to develop data processing centers necessary for transmission network management.
– Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne will build 5,000 km of new extra-high voltage lines. This is the backbone of the Polish power system. This would not be possible without the Energy Support Fund we have created, which is the largest investment program in the Polish energy sector. It amounts to PLN 70 billion from the National Recovery Plan. We are investing in power grids so that they can receive and deliver energy from renewable sources and nuclear power to our homes and businesses – said Minister of Climate and Environment Paulina Hennig-Kloska.
– Funds from the National Recovery Plan are an important instrument that will support the development of the National Power System and thus contribute to the security of electricity supplies for the inhabitants of Poland. However, in addition to the implementation of the investment measures themselves, it is crucial to create appropriate mechanisms that will support the process of integrating the Polish energy sector and increase its resilience and efficiency. We have set ourselves these tasks as the Polish government and are effectively implementing them – said Wojciech Wrochna, Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure.
Support for the PSE project is provided under the Energy Support Fund implemented as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
– The energy transition will not happen without modern infrastructure. By building it, we are creating a solid foundation for a green and independent energy sector in Poland – one that is stable, resilient, and ready for the challenges of the coming decades. The agreement signed today with Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne is a very important step in the energy transition process. This is yet another multi-billion loan using European funds, which will have long-term effects on our economy and at the same time increase our country’s energy resilience – says Mirosław Czekaj, President of the Management Board of Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego.
– The development of the transmission system is essential for the energy transition. Thanks to funds from the National Recovery Plan, we will prepare the network for the challenges of the future while reducing costs for consumers. We will create a lasting foundation for the development of Poland’s competitiveness for future generations – said Grzegorz Onichimowski, President of Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne.
At the same time, PSE is also obtaining support for the implementation of energy infrastructure projects from other programs, including FEnIKS and CEF, as well as from non-repayable KPO funds.
PSE is the transmission system operator for the whole of Poland. The company manages the extra-high voltage network, including over 16,000 km of lines and 110 stations. PSE is currently implementing the largest investment program in its history. Over the next decade, nearly 5,000 km of 400 kV lines and 28 new stations will be built, and 110 existing stations will be modernized. The planned investments are described at inwestycje.pse.pl.
The Energy Support Fund (FWE) is a key financial instrument under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (KPO), managed by Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego. Its aim is to support the energy transition in Poland by granting preferential loans for strategic investments in the energy sector. Thanks to the FWE, it is possible to accelerate the modernization of energy infrastructure, integrate renewable energy sources, and increase the country’s energy security.
More information about the National Recovery Plan can be found on the website kpo.gov.pl.
Source: PSE
