To the rescue of Polish wind energy!

To the European Commission and the Council of the European Union

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Under the new law [1], in Poland the minimum permissible distance between new wind farms and residential buildings was reduced. However, instead of the announced 500 meters, it is now 700 meters. As a result of this change, the area where it will be possible to build new wind farms has decreased by almost 50% compared to expectations.This means a significant delay and a drastic reduction in the potential for the development of renewable energy sources in Poland.

We therefore request the European Commission and the Council of the European Union to:

  • recognize the act signed by the President of the Republic of Poland on March 13, 2023 as not meeting the milestone No. B2.2* included in the annex to the implementation decision of the Council of the European Union regarding the Polish National Reconstruction Plan [2]
  • and made the achievement of this milestone conditional on reducing the said minimum distance to 500 meters and establishing exceptions to this rule, which would allow wind farms to be built even closer to homes, subject to the consent of their residents

*This milestone obliges Poland to establish regulations that will allow local authorities to decide on the location of wind farms and reduce the minimum distance between new wind farms and existing homes.

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Why is this important?

On March 13, 2023, the President of the Republic of Poland signed an act amending the regulations on the location of new onshore wind farms.

Unfortunately, despite the fact that the original government draft of this act included the implementation of solutions resulting from consensus covering entrepreneurs [3], local governments [4], investors [5] and social organizations, its final shape is far from their expectations.

During the work in the parliamentary committee, an amendment was introduced to the draft, changing the minimum distance between new wind farms and existing residential buildings, from 500 to 700 meters. This change was justified by alleged noise and other negative impacts generated by wind turbines, the existence of which is not confirmed by scientific research [6]. 

From numerous expert estimates [7] we know that as a result of this change, the area where it will be possible to build new wind farms has been reduced by almost 50%. In addition, 84% of several hundred investment plans already approved by local governments will have to be revised [8], which will significantly delay the entire investment process, and thus increase the share of renewable energy sources in the Polish energy system.

A government representative, secretary in the Ministry of Climate and Environment for RES, announced that in the light of the new regulations, a maximum of 4 to 6 GW will be able to be installed in Poland capacity in onshore wind farms. Therefore, it cannot be considered that the Act in question has significantly improved the conditions for developing renewable energy sources in the field of onshore wind energy.

Wind energy guarantees energy that is clean, cheap, locally available and does not require imported fuel, so Poles support its development [9]. Due to climate change and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which accelerates the need to move away from fossil fuels [10], all EU countries must take responsibility for the energy transition urgently. Poland, as a member of the European alliance, should fulfil its obligations [11] and, together with other EU countries, strive to achieve climate neutrality as soon as possible, while guaranteeing its citizens energy at an affordable price.

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References:

  1. https://orka.sejm.gov.pl/opinie9.nsf/nazwa/2938_u/$file/2938_u.pdf
  2. https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-9728-2022-ADD-1/en/pdf
  3. windeurope.org/newsroom/press-releases/only-a-setback-distance-of-500-metres-will-support-onshore-wind-in-poland/
  4. http://www.prawo.pl/samorzad/odleglosc-500-metrow-dla-wiatrakow-apel-o-zostawienie,520173.html
  5. psew.pl/en/2023/03/02/subsequent-business-giants-join-the-call-for-wind-energy/
  6. publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC109698
  7. psew.pl/en/2023/02/27/analysis-return-to-700-metres-for-wind-turbines-harms-local-governments/; psew.pl/en/2023/01/26/700-metres-in-the-wind-power-act-small-amendment-causes-drastic-changes-analysis/; euobserver.com/green-economy/156661
  8. psew.pl/en/2023/02/06/700-metres-kills-84-of-plans-prepared-for-wind-energy-projects/
  9. psew.pl/en/2023/03/03/83-of-poles-vote-for-onshore-wind/
  10. http://www.rechargenews.com/wind/dont-mess-up-poland-warned-wind-power-rule-change-crucial-to-break-russia-energy-ties/2-1-1392578
  11. http://www.politico.eu/article/poland-bill-wind-power-renewables-legal-roadblock-coal/

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