Polski
The development of renewable energy sources is the Polish raison d’état today – this was the motto of the largest industry event focused on wind energy in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe. The Polish Wind Energy Association PSWE 2023 Conference was held in Serock from June 20 to 22. This three-day event brought together key decision-makers, opinion leaders, representatives of local governments, business and environmental associations, the media and the entire wind industry in one place. The conference was held under the honorary patronage of the Ministry of Climate and Environment and the Energy Regulatory Office.
Wind energy as a topic of conversation at the political level
The report “Onshore and Offshore Wind Energy in Poland,” presented at the PWEA 2023 conference, shows that the last few years in the RES area represent a so-called “investment gap.” It is due to the introduction in 2016. Distance Law. Developing green power is also not helped by price thresholds imposed on generators by the government.
I understand that the so-called price caps are a bit of a challenge for investors. However, we must remember that the regulation adopted by the government did not come from nothing. This was in response to the crisis situation in the energy markets caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Energy consumers must feel safe – emphasizes Lukasz Tomaszewski, director of the RES department at the Ministry of Climate and Environment.
According to the Polish Power Grid, RES potential indicates the possibility of annual production of more than 100 TWh of renewable energy by 2030. This value will noticeably exceed 50% of Poland’s electricity demand. A national energy industry that is supposed to ensure security and achieve ambitious climate goals could thus free itself from fossil sources. Experts stressed that in order to meet the goals of the energy policy put forward by the Ministry of Climate and Environment, the government must adopt a strategic model for thinking about the development of renewable energy sources in Poland. Not only could our country’s wind power industry develop dynamically and increase citizens’ sense of security, but support from the highest authorities is needed.
Networking, legislation and transparent dialogue between investors and the government are all needed to meet the goals outlined in PEP2040. In the legislative area, we lack good cooperation. On the issue of networks, developers speak with one voice with operators. Multibillion-dollar outlays are needed, as well as the introduction of a grid spec law, which is reportedly already being prepared. Without investment in the grid, there will be no RES in Poland – neither onshore nor offshore. To regulate all this, an energy roundtable is needed to come up with effective solutions. – Underlines Olga Sypuła, energy market expert and country manager of European Energy in Poland.
A major step for the development of renewable energy sources in Poland is the adoption of the Act of April 14, 2023 on the Preparation and Implementation of Investments in Pumped Storage Power Plants and Associated Investments (Journal of Laws 2023.1113). The law, which came into force on June 15 this year, introduced a number of facilitations in the area of investment implementation that pumped storage power plants will be able to benefit from.
Ways to reduce your environmental footprint
Among the conference’s topics was a panel on “New Technologies to Reduce Environmental Footprint,” which emphasized the need to create an economy based on new, environmentally friendly technologies, ways of operating and business models that will reduce our environmental footprint. Many companies, as well as research institutes, are currently working on developing such solutions. It will therefore be necessary to create, commercialize and use innovative technologies and materials on a large scale.
