400 kV Słupsk – Żarnowiec power line, Poland

The main objective of the work carried out by #AltergaTeam was to modernise the 400 kV overhead power line to increase its load-carrying capacity by adapting it to operate at a temperature of +80ºC. We carried out this work by raising or replacing towers, adjusting the sag of the phase conductors, replacing the phase conductors and replacing the lightning protection conductors.

To ensure the professional implementation of the project’s objectives, #AltergaTeam carried out the following works:

• replacement of 4 tower positions, including foundations, insulation, full line marking, and the installation of earthing and anti-corrosion protection
• raising of 28 existing span towers, including anti-corrosion protection
• replacement of ŁP/ŁP2 insulator chains with ŁPA chains on 46 towers
• replacement of damaged glass cap insulators
• replacement of phase conductors – from two-wire to three-wire bundles in 3 tension sections
• adjustment of phase conductor sag in 17 guyed sections
• replacement of both lightning protection conductors with OPGW 48J on the section from the Słupsk substation to the tower no. 353
• construction of 28 new earthing systems for pole positions being replaced or raised, including repair of foundations
• construction of 4 new protective earthing systems for pole positions being replaced or raised, including measurements of the effectiveness of electric shock protection
• installation of number plates for aerial inspection on 33 towers
• re-marking (renumbering) of 161 towers by replacing existing number plates with number-and-code plates, and replacement of the gate signage at the Słupsk substation in the Żarnowiec area
• clearing of trees and shrubs within the existing clearance zone across 3 spans
• cabling of three 15 kV lines

The scope of work to be carried out by #AltergaTeam was complex and involved a range of specialist tasks. Thanks to excellent organisation and the commitment of the teams and site managers, the main objective of the project – the modernisation of the 400 kV Słupsk–Żarnowiec overhead line by adapting it to operate at a temperature of +80°C – was successfully achieved. The result of our efforts is an increase in energy security for the local population and industrial facilities.

It is worth emphasising that our works, originally scheduled to take 95 days, were completed by #AltergaTeam in just 65 days – a feat that seemed almost unimaginable, let alone achievable. However, the excellent cooperation between all members of the Alterga team and the management board enabled the project to be completed in record time, thereby meeting the investor’s expectations.