Grid connections after the UC84 reform: deadlines of 16 and 30 October and new interpretations by operators

The amendment to the Energy Law of 13 March 2026, known as UC84, largely entered into force on 30 April 2026. Some of the transitional provisions, including Articles 13 and 14, will take effect on 16 October 2026. The changes concern the costs and timetables of connecting new generation sources and energy storage to the grid, so most projects under preparation will feel their effects.

The veto and its consequences

On 28 August 2026, President Karol Nawrocki vetoed an amendment to the act (print no. 2750). According to e-magazyny.pl, it was to move the deadline for paying advances from 30 October 2026 to 30 April 2027 and to reduce the required security from 100% to 25% for contracts concluded after 16 October. Following the veto, the original deadlines apply. According to WysokieNapiecie.pl (18 September), the amendments may still be attached to the amendment of the Energy Law concerning CSIRE (the Central System of Energy Market Information Exchange); Sejm sittings are scheduled for 6–9 October and Senate sittings for 13–14 October; the Ministry of Energy and the Chancellery of the President are reportedly to talk about a joint version of the provisions.

How much a connection application costs

For new applications, the provisions provide for a fee of PLN 1/kW (maximum PLN 100 thousand), an advance of PLN 60/kW (maximum PLN 6 million) and security of PLN 30/kW. As calculated by the e-magazyny.pl portal, for an energy storage facility with a connection capacity of 100 MW this means PLN 6.1 million in payments and PLN 3 million in security. Sources describe the rules for determining the security differently, so before an investment decision they should be verified against the text of the act and the requirements of the relevant operator.

Milestones and new connection modes

• for energy storage: 24 months to obtain the final building permit,
• an obligation to deliver at least 80% of capacity and storage volume, with the possibility of a single extension of the deadline by a maximum of 24 months,
• cable pooling also available for energy storage,
• a flexible agreement (with restrictions of up to 3 years) and a configurable agreement.

Operators are changing their interpretation

Energa-Operator, Enea Operator and Tauron Dystrybucja have changed their interpretation of the provisions. According to e-magazyny.pl, the PLN 1/kW fee may also apply to a material change to connection conditions already issued, for example to capacity or location. This is important for projects that require optimisation after the conditions have been obtained.

Significance for the market

The new rules favour mature projects: those with an orderly land title, a realistic permitting timetable and financing for the security. In the NRG+ portfolio of photovoltaic farms and energy storage facilities, including BESS projects with a capacity of 4 to 600 MW, the dates of 16 and 30 October are currently among the most important in the calendar of preparatory work.