A General Contractor for Power Grids (GWSE) 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.
One of the primary areas of GWSE’s activities is the construction and maintenance of photovoltaic and wind farms, which serve as 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.
The construction of photovoltaic and wind farms requires GWSE 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 GWSE include:
- Conducting a location analysis, considering climatic conditions, infrastructure availability, and energy potential.
- 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
