Abstract: Reasonable and practicable sequence of generating unit restoration can ensure the rapidness of restoration process. This paper presents a new definition of transmission line weight and a conception of operation success rate of generating unit restoration paths based on the presented weight definition and the self-excitation margin. An optimization model is proposed to maximize the restoration path operation success rate and the total power generation capability over a restoration period. The model is solved by Dijkstra algorithm and the modified particle swarm optimization(PSO) algorithm with crossover factors. Simulation results on IEEE 30-bus system and Shandong power grid of China demonstrate the fast optimization and the high feasibility of restoration plan.