Wind energy in Poland25.11.2009The report “Wind energy in Poland” was presented on November 25th, 2009 at the PAIiIZ Information Centre. The report was prepared by the consulting firm TPA Horwath in co-operation with the Domański Zakrzewski Palinka Law Firm and the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency (PAIiIZ).
In the light of depleting natural resources, rising fossil fuel prices and increasing ecological awareness, alternative energy sources are becoming increasingly popular, especially the wind energy sector. The sector results to be crisis-resistant what may additionally influence its development. Poland’s large area and favourable wind conditions make the country one of the most attractive wind farm locations in Europe. Currently, the potential of wind power in Poland has been used to a small extent that is why investors may still find great investment opportunities.
At the end of 2008 the wind farm capacity worldwide amounted to approximately 121 GW, which corresponds to an over 20-fold capacity growth since 1996 – the average annual increase of installed capacity reached 28%. The year 2008 resulted decisive as the wind energy sector witnessed 40% more greenfield projects executed worldwide, as compared to the preceding year. For the first time ever the wind energy led the way in Europe, where 36% (i.e.8 500 MW) of all 24 000 MW new generation capacity was attributed to wind power plants. The sector was followed by the gas and solar energy-based installations.
In comparison to other European countries, particularly the ones whose use of renewable energy sources is advanced , such as Germany, Spain or Denmark, Poland is only beginning its wind power adventure. This energy source was practically not used in Poland before the year 2000. Recent years have witnessed a substantial growth of the wind farm installed capacity in Poland. The growth between 2000 and 2009 was more the 166-fold. The dynamic development is also confirmed by the creation of facilities with the cumulative capacity of 206 MW in the years 2007 and 2008. According to the Energy Regulatory Office data, the installed capacity of the wind power sector in Poland reached 666 MW. There is a total of 282 licensed sources in Poland. The main location for wind energy investment is a several dozen kilometre wide strip of the Baltic seashore, the region of central Poland and the region of the Carpathians. According to the estimates of the Polish Wind Energy Association (PSEW), there are over 100 entities in the Polish market that acquire investment lots and develop wind power projects.
Nevertheless, the development of wind energy farms in Poland has been hampered by a number of barriers. It is the procedural as well as legal obscurity and problems with environmental influence assessment that tend to hamper preparation proceedings of wind power investments and cerate the greatest difficulties. The complex procedures and the constantly increasing investors’ interest have almost entirely blocked the process of issuing permissions which are indispensable to connect wind installations to the national energy grid for all new projects. Lack of such permission makes it impossible to develop any investment or apply for EU subsidies. As a result of the existing difficulties, the investment preparation period of such projects reached in Poland the record of 4 years and has until recently, been reserved for people who are prepared to bear substantial financial outlays and tolerate organisational disruption. Procedure liberalisation and a shortening of the wind energy project execution period are expected to be introduced in the foreseeable future. In the context of Poland’s and the EU’s environment policies, it is the responsibility of the Polish legislature to take appropriate measures to remove the existing complications. Some of the changes have already been initiated.
For more information please contact:
Wojciech Sztuba, Phone. +48 604966422, e-mail: wojciech.sztuba@tpa-horwath.pl
www.tpa-horwath.pl
www.dzp.pl
www.paiz.gov.pl
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