In the market, most container transformer stations are assembled from components sourced from various suppliers. This typically involves a concrete housing from one provider, a medium voltage switchgear from another, and a transformer from yet another, which can complicate the configuration process, especially for non-standard orders. As a result, clients face multiple documentation, deadlines, and contacts in case of issues.
In response, ZUP Emiter Sp. z o.o. has taken a different approach. The company has established its manufacturing plant in Zgierz, designed its own medium voltage switchgear, and developed a system for monolithic concrete housings cast in 3D molds. The transformer stations produced there combine two voltage levels into a single certified product from one manufacturer, eliminating the division of responsibility among multiple companies.
Historically, Emiter was primarily recognized for its low voltage switchgear. Over several years, the company transitioned from component production to complete transformer station construction, which required making several strategic decisions along the way.
Transition from Low to Medium Voltage: The Beginning of Emiter’s Transformer Stations
Emiter has extensive experience in low voltage, having designed and produced composite and metal housings, fuse disconnectors, current transformers, and low voltage switchgear which it continues to manufacture today. Initially, the company assembled transformer stations from parts not produced in-house, using its low voltage switchgear in concrete housings sourced from other manufacturers, lacking its own medium voltage switchgear or concrete housings.
International Clients and First Container Stations from Supplier Components
Between 2019 and 2022, Emiter supplied container transformer stations to an international client, which provided the company with significant experience in delivering complete stations and demonstrated its desire to develop its own solutions rather than act as a subcontractor.
Decision to Develop In-House Medium Voltage Solutions
In 2020, Emiter decided to enter the medium voltage sector on its own terms. This new product line not only expanded its offerings but also aimed to create a cohesive system that would embody its motto, “We share energy, we multiply solutions.” The medium voltage station opened doors to industrial clients, establishing itself as a bridge for future products.
However, this strategic move required substantial financial investment, amounting to tens of millions of zloty, and was executed cautiously to maintain stability with both current and future partners. Emiter entered this new segment with a high financial credibility rating, crucial for its clients given the scale of investment.
New Factory in Zgierz: Ending Dependency on Suppliers
To stop relying on external components, Emiter needed three things: a production facility, molds for concrete casting, and its own medium voltage switchgear. The company decided to build all three.
Plans for the factory’s technology and business model began in 2023. Construction started in early 2024 on a site of a decommissioned production facility, requiring the demolition of the old structure and navigating through numerous permits. By the end of 2024, the first shipments of contracted technology arrived. Certification for the factory and the transformer stations was completed by September 2025, with serial production commencing in early 2026.
Since the factory’s opening, Emiter has independently managed the entire process, from producing reinforcement and concrete to manufacturing electrical devices and assembling the complete stations. This marks the end of relying on external suppliers for critical components.
EMVS and EMVS Eco: Two Medium Voltage Switchgears Developed in Three Years
The medium voltage switchgear is the heart of the transformer station, responsible for energy distribution and protection. Before Emiter developed its own design, it had to purchase switchgears from other manufacturers. Therefore, the project for its first switchgear began simultaneously with the factory’s construction – one could not succeed without the other.
The first switchgear, EMVS, was developed quickly. The project commenced in January 2023, and by December, it passed type testing at the Institute of Electrical Engineering in Warsaw. With the introduction of its own switchgear, Emiter could build around it. However, soon after, the European Union phased out greenhouse gas SF₆ switchgears, including the EMVS, rendering its certified design obsolete before it even hit the market.
The company reacted swiftly, initiating the design for EMVS Eco, without SF₆, starting in January 2025. This project took the same amount of time, exactly one year, from conception to certification, showcasing the company’s rapid adaptation even without prior experience in this segment.
Standardization of Transformer Station Dimensions and Certification Delay
During the factory’s construction and switchgear development, a new industry standard began to emerge led by the Polish Transmission and Distribution of Electricity Society (PTPiREE), aimed at unifying the dimensions of transformer stations for distribution system operators. Recognizing the impending standardization, Emiter decided to pause its certification process for its own stations, preferring to wait for the standard’s definition to ensure compliance with future market requirements. This strategic delay ultimately led to the certification of the factory and stations in September 2025, aligning them with the new standard.
The ETSI transformer station emerged as a result of this journey. Emiter’s custom molds provide flexibility, allowing the stations to be tailored for specific investments rather than adhering strictly to a predefined catalog. The internal and external service transformer stations are two variants of the same platform, designed for every sector from energy to industry.
Thirteen Transformer Stations for Stalprodukt SA: A Major Test
Stalprodukt, a large manufacturing plant in Małopolska, decided to power its facility with energy from its own photovoltaic farm, entrusting the construction to EkoEnergia Polska Sp. z o.o., a leader in renewable energy solutions for businesses. This firm requested 13 transformer stations from Emiter, having previously established a successful relationship as one of the first clients to trust Emiter’s medium voltage switchgear.
These 13 transformer stations for the large-scale photovoltaic farm represent the most ambitious project in Emiter’s history, distributing green energy to Stalprodukt’s operations. How did the execution unfold?
Thirteen Configurations in One Project
The project began with the design of the installation. Before Emiter was selected as the station supplier, designers had to meet the client’s requirements and select appropriate solutions based on existing network parameters.
This project came with significant technological pressure, coinciding with the phase-out of SF₆, and Stalprodukt, being an environmentally conscious company, expected switchgears utilizing new technologies. EkoEnergia Polska designed the solutions, and Emiter delivered them in the required standard, confirming the company’s readiness to handle large investments as a reliable engineering partner, not just a manufacturer.
Each of the thirteen stations required a distinct design due to variations in cable connections, apparatus layouts, and housing geometry, tailored for individual inverter connections and the energy needs of the solar farm. Emiter’s housing system allowed each unit to be customized while maintaining common components across the series, with all units set to launch alongside the farm, which consists of nearly 73,000 PV panels and approximately 43 MW capacity.
Emitter Today: A Manufacturer of Container Transformer Stations with In-House Capabilities
The culmination of Emiter’s journey is evident in its current operations with clients, where each inquiry is treated as a project. For unique constructions, they engage at the conceptual stage with investors and design offices. The catalog of available transformer station configurations serves as a starting point rather than a limitation. This is not just a claim—realized projects stand ready for verification.
The commencement of serial production of the stations in Zgierz in 2026 completed the first phase of the strategy, which is now being propelled by additional financing amounting to tens of millions of zloty and an ongoing evolution in development. For partners, this signifies collaboration with a company that boasts a stable infrastructure.
Details about the offerings, configuration catalogs, and individual pricing can be found at emiter.com.
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