A power grid contractor is an entity that specializes in the comprehensive implementation of investments related to the construction and modernization of power grids. The general contractor provides its clients with services at every stage of the project, from technical and economic analysis to obtaining the necessary permits and approvals, through to construction and installation work, as well as maintenance and facility management.
Key Areas of Activity for General Contractors in Power Grids
One of the primary areas of power grid contractors activities is:
Solar and wind farms are alternative sources of renewable energy (RES). Photovoltaic and wind farms are installations that harness solar energy and wind to generate electrical power. They are increasingly chosen by investors due to their ecological, economic, and social benefits.
Key Responsibilities of the Power Grid Contractor
The construction of photovoltaic and wind farms requires power grid contractor to have the appropriate knowledge and experience in terms of:
design,
equipment selection,
installation,
and grid connection.
The General Contractor for Power Grids must also ensure the safety and quality of the work and comply with legal and regulatory requirements. Some of the key tasks of power grid contractors include:
Conducting a location analysis, considering climatic conditions, infrastructure availability, and energy potential (In this article, you will learn how to choose the best location for solar panels?).
Developing the technical and business concept of the project, including the choice of optimal technology, capacity, and scale of the farm.
Preparing project documentation, including negotiating grid connection terms with the system operator.
Obtaining the necessary permits, approvals, and administrative decisions, including environmental, construction, and energy-related.
Carrying out earthworks, foundation work, road construction, and other necessary tasks to prepare the land for farm construction.
Delivering, assembling, and connecting photovoltaic modules (PV panels) or wind turbines to the grid, along with the necessary electrical equipment and automation.
Conducting tests and technical acceptance of the installation, including power and energy quality measurements.
Handing over the farm to the investor or operator for operation.
After the construction…
After the construction of a photovoltaic or wind farm is completed, GWSE can also provide servicing and maintenance services for the installation. These services include:
Monitoring the operation of the farm using remote monitoring and control systems.
Performing periodic technical inspections and equipment maintenance.
Repairing any faults or malfunctions in the installation.
Optimizing the operation of the farm to increase its energy and economic efficiency.
Summary
The tasks of the General Contractor for Power Grids are diverse and demanding. GWSE must possess high technical, organizational, and legal qualifications, as well as flexibility and adaptability to meet the needs of the client. Only in this way can GWSE ensure the highest level of investment implementation and contribute to the development of the RES sector.
Electrum Group, a leading Polish Climate Tech business, has begun the implementation of another large-scale project as the general contractor. The construction of two photovoltaic farms with a combined installed capacity of 117.1 MW has just commenced in the locations of Sztum and Mikołajki Pomorskie in the Pomeranian Voivodeship. The completion of both projects is scheduled for spring 2025.
The power plants in Sztum and Mikołajki Pomorskie mark the second collaboration between Electrum and PAD RES, a prominent Polish developer in the clean energy sector, and the sixth major project announced by the contractor this year. In recent months, Electrum has completed work on a joint venture with Nofar Energy on a solar farm in Krzywińskie, and on September 21, as part of its cooperation with investor EDP Renewables, Electrum Group officially inaugurated the construction of a power plant in Przykona. Additionally, Electrum plans to expand into international markets.
„PV Sztum and PV Mikołajki are significant projects for Electrum. We are progressively working towards our goal and utilizing technology and knowledge to build the energy infrastructure of the future. The projected annual production of PV Sztum and PV Mikołajki will have the capacity to power up to 65,000 households” – said Robert Rogowski, Senior Project Manager at Electrum Group.
The Sztum power plant is a comprehensive project, including photovoltaic panels with a capacity of 86.1 MW, spread across two smaller farms with a total area of 113.3 hectares – PV Barlewice (65.8 MW DC) and PV Koślinka (20.3 MW DC). Adequate connections between the components of the complex will be ensured by two medium-voltage power lines of approximately 30 kV and a common length of about 13 kilometers, while the critical point responsible for connecting to the power grid will be the GPO Kępina substation.
The smaller installation, the photovoltaic farm in Mikołajki Pomorskie, has a production capacity of 31 MW on an area of 50 hectares, distributed between PV Mikołajki (5 MW DC) and PV Gdakowo (26 MW DC). In this case, investments have also been made in extensive supporting infrastructure, including nearly 5 kilometers of power lines and a high-voltage line with a length of about 500 meters. The power grid will be connected to the farm through the GPO Mikołajki substation, operating at a voltage of 110/30 kV.
The finalization of formalities related to the implementation was announced in August of this year. The construction of both farms simultaneously began in September, with their completion expected in the spring of 2025.
Electrum Group is a leading Polish Climate Tech business based in Białystok, offering comprehensive solutions in the field of cutting-edge technology development, project construction, and management in the energy and information sectors. The technological maturity of its experts allows them to deliver products and services that respond to the evolving needs of the industry and businesses in line with the ongoing energy transformation. Electrum creates and implements solutions and builds projects based on the idea of an individual energy mix, striking a balance between the social and environmental responsibility of the business and its economic aspect.
