How can you manage an energy investment project without unnecessary downtime?
Energy investment
Every month of downtime on a grid, substation or connection project comes at a cost: tied-up capital, postponed acceptance tests, additional arrangements and the risk of changes to the schedule. That is why delays in the construction of power infrastructure should be treated as an area to be monitored from the very first decisions, rather than as a problem that only becomes apparent on the construction site.
The scale of work in the Polish power sector is substantial. In its development plan for 2025–2034, PSE S.A. (Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne – Polish Power Grid) indicates, amongst other things, 4,700 km of new 400 kV lines, 28 new substations and 110 modernised substations[1]. With such a large number of projects, the construction of power infrastructure requires effective technical, administrative and on-site coordination.
Downtime occurs earlier than it becomes apparent on site
The most expensive problems often arise before the teams even set out into the field. An underestimated route for the line, incomplete data on plots of land, a lack of collision analysis, or an overly optimistic timeline for obtaining planning permission can bring a project to a standstill for weeks.
Risks must be identified as early as the concept stage: property-related, environmental, design, procurement, construction and weather-related risks. Such an analysis should lead to a decision:
- What should be checked or done in advance?
- Where should we allow for some extra time?
- What alternatives should we prepare?
- Who is responsible for each area?
The question “how to avoid delays in a power energy project” can be summed up by the following principle: first the assessment, then the schedule, and only then the implementation.
Planning of an energy investment project
Planning for energy investment projects should cover the installation of poles, cables and equipment, but the plan must also include arrangements, land rights, deliveries, power cuts, testing, acceptance inspections and commissioning.
A practical construction schedule for a power grid should also include checkpoints: documentation, approvals, site readiness, deliveries, foundations, installation, testing and reports.
The efficient implementation of power grid investments requires contingency plans. If a single decision is delayed, the team can refine the documentation, logistics or the next section. In such cases, risk management responds in real time, rather than only after the event or once a deadline has been missed.
Administrative procedures in power energy projects
In power energy projects, documentation is just as important as the equipment and the work crews. When applying for permission to construct an electrical power grid, the following must be prepared: an application, a declaration of the right to use the property, and four copies of the construction design with the required opinions, approvals and permits[2].
That is why the formal and legal aspects of power sector investments are of great importance. This involves analysing the property, holding discussions with the owners, preparing applications, conducting consultations and checking that the formal and legal documentation is consistent with the technical design.
Establishing a transmission easement can be time-consuming, particularly when the route passes through numerous plots of land. The same applies to the environmental decision: analysing environmental conditions too late increases the risk of amendments and delays.
Knowledge of the site in an energy investment project
Design services in the energy sector involve developing solutions that can be implemented under specific conditions. Technical solutions must be selected taking into account access routes, installation methods, potential conflicts, the operator’s requirements, health and safety, and subsequent operation.
Overhead lines, cable sections and substation facilities are planned in different ways. The voltage level is a key factor: LV, MV, HV and LV lines differ in terms of the scale of coordination, the scope of documentation, the equipment required and the organisation of the work. In the case of modernisation projects, power cuts and work on existing infrastructure must also be taken into account.
The pace of the project is influenced by access routes, storage areas, tree felling, ground conditions and intersections with other networks. The sooner the project addresses these issues, the lower the risk of changes on site.
Substation facilities
When constructing or modernising substations, a delay in one area of work can bring several subsequent stages to a standstill. Foundations, support structures, primary equipment, secondary circuits, protection systems and drainage must be installed in a logical sequence.
In renewable energy projects, the GCP – Grid Connection Point for wind or solar farms – plays a key role. In the railway sector, traction substations require a similar level of discipline, where work schedules must be coordinated with traffic safety and power supply availability.
Construction industry does not like improvisation
On a construction site, the pace of work is determined by the weather, the ground conditions, the equipment, supplies and the readiness of the work front. Foundation work for the line and substations should be preceded by a review of the geotechnical documentation, access routes, reinforcement, precast elements, concrete and the availability of heavy machinery.
It is not worth leaving quality control until the very end. Errors in the foundation of structures, earthing or cable ducts can necessitate costly modifications. Regular technical meetings and thorough documentation help to minimise delays in the construction of the power grid.
How does field data help to reduce decision-making time in the implementation of a power energy project?
Modern tools help to identify problems faster, before they cause delays to the schedule. Drone services support inspections, surveys and monitoring of work progress without the need for lengthy site visits. For extensive lines, hard-to-reach sections and substation facilities, they provide the client with an up-to-date picture of the situation: the status of the works front, access routes, collisions, storage areas and elements requiring further inspection are clearly visible.
Meanwhile, 3D laser scanning / LiDAR enables accurate terrain mapping – objects and spatial collisions can be identified. LiDAR measurement data is used to create and update digital terrain models and land cover models, which effectively supports the analysis of routes, elevations, obstacles and construction conditions[3]
For larger projects, GIS – a geographic information system containing data on the project’s scope, plots of land, planning decisions, structures and progress – is also useful. This ensures that the design and construction teams work based on the same information, and that decisions are not based solely on descriptions from meetings.
Why do acceptance tests and commissioning need to be planned right at the start of the project?
The final stage of a project is often underestimated. Acceptance inspections, commissioning, safety checks, functional tests and electrical measurements all require time, the involvement of specialists and a complete set of as-built documentation. The absence of a single report can delay the commissioning of the completed infrastructure.
In the case of renewable energy sources and industrial plants, it is also worth considering energy storage systems, which can support supply reliability, energy management from own sources and the operation of critical load users.
One partner, less points of contact
Turnkey power energy investments are a way of mitigating organisational risk. The design-and-build model reduces the number of parties coordinated by the investor, provided that the scope of responsibility, the timetable and the reporting procedures are clearly defined.
Alterga supports this model through a comprehensive approach combining design, administrative procedures, construction, modernisation, operation and innovative services. For the investor, this means fewer fragmented decisions and better control over the entire process, from the conceptual phase to the commissioning of the power facility.
A smooth investment project begins with accurate data, a sound design and well-organised documentation. It is worth choosing a partner who understands the site, procedures, technical aspects and acceptance processes. This allows problems to be minimised at the stage when resolving them costs the least, i.e. during the construction works preparation phase.
FAQ – frequently asked questions about energy infrastructure investments
From an analysis of the route, the legal status of the property, environmental requirements, conflicts and a realistic timetable.
Incomplete documentation, unresolved access to plots, conflicts, design changes and supply issues.
Yes. They help to collect field data more quickly, detect collisions and monitor progress.
Because they require protocols, tests, trials, as-built documentation and the availability of specialists.
[1]https://www.pse.pl/-/projekt-nowego-planu-rozwoju-sieci-przesylowej-na-lata-2025-2034-uzgodniony
[2]https://www.gov.pl/web/gov/zglos-budowe-sieci-elektroenergetycznej
[3]https://www.geoportal.gov.pl/pl/dane/dane-pomiarowe-lidar-lidar/