Special report: ‘Networks under pressure – investment in critical infrastructure’

- The digitisation and automation of networks present a huge opportunity, but also a serious threat. “The lack of verified technologies in critical infrastructure could, in the long term, prove to be a massive problem for national security ,” said Maciej Wyczesany, Chairman of the Management Board of Apator SA, in an interview with WNP.PL. The interview was published as part of Apator SA’s patronage of the special report “Networks under pressure – investments in critical infrastructure”.

The report analyses the strategic and operational challenges associated with the expansion and modernisation of Poland’s electricity infrastructure up to 2035. Although the government and PSE have announced PLN 180 billion in investment, systemic needs and the pace of the energy transition cast doubt on the effectiveness of current plans. The analyses take into account the perspectives of regulators, network operators, investors and end-users, and identify the risks arising from underinvestment, ageing infrastructure, regulatory barriers and a lack of coordination.

The report covers essential investments in grid expansion and modernisation – from transmission lines to smart distribution networks, connection bottlenecks and the development of RES in Poland, the role and barriers to the implementation of energy storage, as well as the lack of cybersecurity standards for equipment installed on transmission and distribution networks .

A printed version of the report was distributed during the Energy Days conference.