Who isn't fond of wind energy in Poland?
In the realm of renewable energy, Poland and Germany are making significant strides, particularly in the onshore wind sector.
Marcin Ścigan, an expert in Renewable Energy Sources at Forum Energii, asserts that onshore wind turbine technology has become cost-effective and no longer requires state support. This shift is reflected in the lowest auction price for wind power, which stood at PLN 162.8 per MWh in 2019.
The total installed capacity of onshore wind farms in Poland was 5.9 GW as of the end of 2019. However, the development of onshore wind power has been suppressed in Poland, and may not change unless the government withdraws from the 10H rule, a regulation that effectively prevents the construction of new wind farms on 99 percent of Poland's territory.
The region of Eastern Wielkopolska is a significant area in need of new investments in green energy. Residents and local authorities of Eastern Wielkopolska are ready for energy transformation, and wind energy could play a major role there.
The Distance Act, adopted in 2016, has been a major hurdle in the growth of the wind energy industry in Poland. The Act requires a minimum distance of 10 times the height of the wind turbine from residential and mixed-use buildings, as well as areas of high environmental value. This has led to conflicts over wind turbines being built in forests, which are seen as inappropriate industrial areas. Local landowners and residents feel their natural and protected forest areas are endangered, facing a lack of transparency and dismissive attitudes from project promoters.
Balancing wind energy production can be achieved through demand-side management, energy exchange with neighbouring countries, or local balancing. In Germany, the ruling coalition came to an agreement on onshore wind turbines in mid-May, giving the industry a chance to grow again. Decisions on the minimum distance between new turbines and residential buildings in Germany will now be in the hands of the 16 German federal states.
Energy from wind turbines is approximately half as cheap as energy from coal in Poland. With the cost of electricity from new coal-fired power plants reaching as much as PLN 350 per MWh, the economic case for wind energy is compelling.
Looking ahead, the National Energy and Climate Plan for 2021-2030 aims to increase onshore wind capacity to about 9.6 GW by 2030, with no plans to build more onshore wind farms after 2040. The Minister of Development Jadwiga Emilewicz announced in December last year that the act on wind farm investments would be amended, with the Distance Act ceasing to apply in favor of local decisions by the end of 2021.
The reduced demand for electricity due to the coronavirus pandemic may foster the development of renewable energy in Poland. As the world continues to transition towards a more sustainable future, the role of onshore wind energy in Poland and Germany is set to grow.
