Poland's grid operator shuts down renewables amid energy surplus

Poland's electricity grid is grappling with a surplus of renewable energy, forcing the national grid operator, Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne (PSE), to frequently curtail solar installations. This issue is particularly pronounced during sunny spring and summer weekends when energy demand typically dips, leading to a situation where more green power is generated than can be consumed.

During a recent long holiday weekend in early June, PSE had to reduce the output of solar farms for extended periods. On June 4, curtailments began at 8 a.m. and lasted until 7 p.m., with over 2.4 GW of solar capacity taken offline at its peak. Similar measures were enacted on June 6 and 7, with capacities exceeding 1.7 GW and 2 GW respectively. These shutdowns occurred despite Poland having nearly 26.5 GW of installed solar capacity by the end of March.

The consequence of this oversupply is negative electricity prices on the Towarowa Giełda Energii (energy exchange), especially during midday hours. The grid operator's actions, known as "non-market redispatching," are taken as a last resort to maintain grid stability. Before resorting to shutting down renewables, PSE reduces the output of coal and gas power plants and attempts emergency energy exports. The growing volume of unused renewable energy highlights a challenge in balancing the grid with increasing green power generation.