By Oystein Bergmann, Bureau Chief, Scandinavia

Nokia  has announced  that it has been selected by PGE, Poland’s largest power grid operator, to deploy a country-wide critical backhaul network. Utilizing IP/MPLS technology, this network will provide foundational connectivity for its private wireless infrastructure for critical communications of all power grid companies operating in Poland.

The IP/MPLS backhaul network will play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless and reliable communication for the power grid operations. With the expansive coverage spanning the entire country, this deployment marks a significant milestone in advancing the digital capabilities of PGE’s infrastructure.

The decision to choose Nokia for this transformative project was driven by Nokia’s reputation for delivering state-of-the-art solutions and its commitment to innovation. Nokia’s expertise in grid communications and its proven track record in deploying robust and scalable networks for power grid operators made it the ideal partner for PGE’s ambitious plans.

Vice President Central and East Europe, Nokia Enterprise, Dirk Lewandowski said: “We are honored to collaborate with PGE on this transformative project. Nokia’s IP/MPLS technology is at the forefront of innovation, offering a reliable and scalable solution that aligns seamlessly with PGE’s vision for a modernized and efficient communication network. Our experience with numerous power grid operators worldwide shows that IP/MPLS is a well-established standard for Operational Telecommunication (OT) and critical communication networks. We look forward to supporting PGE in achieving its strategic objectives and contributing to the success of Poland’s power grid infrastructure.”

President of the Management Board PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna, Wojciech Dąbrowski said: “The LTE450 network is one of the key elements in PGE’s building of a modern energy industry. A reliable and secure communications network combined with network metering will provide a constant, real-time picture of the operation of the energy distribution network. This will allow an immediate response to incidents occurring in the network and reduce the time it takes to detect and remove failures. a digitalisation, of which the LTE network is an essential element, will speed up customer service and enable new services to be offered to customers.”

 The IP/MPLS network is expected to bring numerous benefits to PGE and other Polish power grid operators, including increased network capacity, reduced latency, and enhanced security features. It will continue to serve as the network platform for emerging and future grid applications as PGE continues its digital journey. This deployment reflects Nokia’s commitment to advancing digital transformation in critical industries and underscores PGE’s dedication to staying at the forefront of technological innovation in the energy sector.

As the deployment progresses, Nokia and PGE look forward to achieving new milestones in the digital transformation of critical infrastructure. The collaboration is poised to set a benchmark for the integration of cutting-edge telecommunications solutions in the energy sector, ensuring a secure and efficient power grid for the country.