Poland’s transmission operator implements changes to grid connection procedures
On 1 August 2025, Poland implemented a series of changes to its electricity grid connection procedures.
These measures, proposed by the Transmission System Operator (TSO), address mounting inefficiencies in the current process, which has become strained due to a surge in applications and the evolving needs of Poland’s energy sector. The reforms aim to streamline the handling of applications, reduce unnecessary administrative delays, and provide greater clarity for investors and developers seeking to connect new generation and storage facilities to the national grid.
Fast tracking technical modifications
Recognising that many connection applications involve only technical adjustments rather than fundamental changes to the scope of the projects, the TSO’s reforms introduce a fast-track process for such cases. From August 2025, requests to amend the already issued grid connection conditions (e.g. changing the type or manufacturer of equipment, adjusting the number of components, or modifying technical parameters) will be treated as minor technical updates, and will remain within the limits of the original grid connection conditions. The premise to make use of such a benefit is that the overall connection capacity and maximum capacity levels remain unchanged. Such technical amendments will bypass the standard application queue, allowing for more efficient processing and reducing delays for projects that will not have an additional impact on the grid capacity.
Streamlined correction of minor errors
To accelerate the application process, the TSO will implement a more flexible approach to correct minor errors or omissions in submitted applications. In case of minor deficiencies (e.g. missing supporting documents, typographical errors, or incomplete form fields), the applicants will have 14 days to provide necessary corrections. The review period for the application will be extended only by the number of days taken to submit the correction, while the original submission date will be preserved. This approach is limited to minor issues. More severe deficiencies will require the application to be resubmitted with the application date reset.
Strict enforcement of advance payment requirements
A recurring issue in the application process has been the failure of some applicants to pay the required advance fee for grid connection within the statutory deadline. Under the new rules, the TSO will no longer review or process applications for grid connection unless the advance payment is received within 14 days of submission. This marks a shift from current practice, where applications were sometimes reviewed for completeness even in the absence of payment. The revised approach is designed to ensure that only paid applications will be reviewed by the TSO.
Applications to fully allocated substations to be refused
With certain substations now operating at or near full capacity, the TSO will introduce a more transparent approach to managing applications for these locations. Any application seeking connection to a substation where all available connection points have already been allocated, or where further expansion is not technically or economically feasible, will be automatically refused without further review. To support transparency, a list of substations with no available connection points will be published and regularly updated. The list will include information on any remaining capacity for which no grid connection agreements have yet been signed.
Conclusion
These targeted procedural changes offer a solution to bottlenecks in the grid connection process. In parallel, the TSO and the government are working on a broader reconstruction of the connection framework, with more comprehensive reforms expected in autumn 2025. The immediate measures, however, should bring clarity, efficiency, and predictability to the process of connecting new energy projects to the Polish grid, supporting the country’s ongoing energy transition and encourage investment in new generation and storage capacity.
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