Panel expert meeting | Cable pooling - a step towards the release of capacity for RES

One of the main barriers to the development of renewable sources is the refusal to allocate connection capacity to the electricity grid. Distribution system operators (DSOs) have long signaled limited opportunities to connect new renewable installations to grids. In 2021 alone, about 3,800 refusals were issued for projects with a total capacity of about 14.5 GW. An important solution that can help free up connection capacity is cable pooling, i.e. combining different generation sources (in particular wind and photovoltaic plants) at a single grid connection point.
 

Cable pooling this solution was noted in the Charter for Efficient Transformation of Distribution Networks of the Polish Energy Sector. At the same time, work on similar solutions is advanced within the framework of the draft amendment to the Renewable Energy Act of February 2022, where changes are proposed to the definition of a hybrid installation, and within the framework of the so-called grid package submitted by the Ministry of Climate and Environment for industry consultation.

Together with Enercode, the Forum Energii has estimated the potential for sharing grid infrastructure in Poland. In the analysis under preparation, we answer the questions:

• Is cable-pooling an attractive solution for investors and in what technological configurations?
• How much connection capacity would be freed in the NPS if the sharing of network infrastructure were allowed in Poland?
• How much money for network development could distribution system operators save after implementing cable pooling?

During the meeting, the results of the analysis, together with the assumptions, were subjected to a discussion.

Expert panels organised by the Forum Energii are held in the chatham house formula. About 20 experts took part in the meeting.