Energy Weekly Publications #20 Cable Pooling – Infrastructure and Connection Capacity Sharing

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15 May 2023

The constantly increasing number of refusals regarding applications for new grid connection conditions for generation sources, combined with delays in the development of new grid investments, has a real impact on the development of RES in Poland. One of the solutions to this challenge may be the sharing of existing infrastructure and connection capacity allocated to producers.

Cable pooling is the possibility to connect RES sources with a different (complementary) generation profile at the same connection point, using the same maximum grid connection capacity. With the total installed capacity of generation devices exceeding the connection capacity, taking into account relevant protective measures and different generation characteristics, it becomes possible to fully utilise the allocated connection and transmission capacities. The most common example of this approach is the strong cooperation of wind and solar power sources – sources that usually operate alternately due to weather conditions (or perfectly complementary).

The lack of regulation of cable pooling in Poland is currently identified as one of the obstacles to the development of renewable energy sources, along with the lack of grid investments, limited legal stability or legal and administrative barriers in obtaining the necessary permits.

According to the ERO, only in 2022 DSOs refused to issue connection conditions for a total capacity of approximately 51 GW. In view of the existing technical limitations of the grid, cable pooling would be a solution to quickly connect new generation capacity, almost without the need for large investments by operators.

The Ministry of Climate and Environment is currently working on draft legislation to enable the cable pooling structure to be applied in Poland – a concept already used in other European Union countries.

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CONTACT

Marek Grzywacz, Ph.D., Counsel
marek.grzywacz@ngllegal.com