The role of wind energy for the Polish energy mix is fundamental. Green electricity from wind brings Poland savings, independence and environment-friendly electricity. Onshore and offshore wind farms are the only way to secure energy security of the country and to consolidation of the Polish economy through creation of a modern and stable supply chain. Poland must start to make serious investments in state-of-the-art, carbon-free technologies, or face a recession and skyrocketing electricity prices — these key issues were discussed with industry experts during the 2022 PWEA Conference held on 13-15 June in Serock.

The 3-day PWEA wind energy event for many years has attracted thousands of attendees involved in the renewable energy sources sector. This year’s Conference hosted more than 2,000 representatives of the Polish and foreign companies from the energy sector, global technology leaders and the largest global investors onshore and offshore. The discussions and workshops were also attended by representatives of the state administration who have a real influence on wind energy development conditions in Poland. On Tuesday we heard an announcement of a key change for onshore wind.

“The Standing Committee of the Council of Ministers adopted a draft act liberalising the 10 h rule and submitted the draft to the Council of Ministers. We estimate that the liberalisation may enable onshore wind potential to reach 10 GW and forecast that total onshore installed capacity may reach 20 GW by 2030,” said Ireneusz Zyska, Undersecretary of State in Ministry of Climate and Environment during the plenary session. 

The annual PWEA Conference is an opportunity to bring issues key to the path to green energy mix in Poland to the public. 

“I think it is now clear for everyone that without rapid wind energy growth in Poland we will fail to achieve the national ambitions laid down in the Energy Policy of Poland until 2040 or the EU targets for decarbonisation of the economy. From the point of view of the Polish economy and energy customers, in order to decrease electricity prices and secure clean air and energy security for Poland wind energy needs an impulse, liberalisation of the 10 h rule and removal of other regulatory barriers,“ summarised Janusz Gajowiecki, President of the Polish Wind Energy Association. 

 

We have to make ourselves independent from fossil fuels, in particular supplied from abroad — this is the only way to increase our energy security. “Our economy will be competitive only when our prices are competitive. To make that happen, we cannot import fuels. The only inexhaustible resources we have are sun and wind. In order to tap these resources, we must build as much RES as possible. Therefore, aid for every investment should be a standard, and a top priority one. Acceleration of investments through elimination of all possible barriers is the only way to achieve energy security of Poland and the world,” said Sebastian Jabłoński, President of the Management Board, Respect Energy S.A.10

 

It has to be stressed that onshore wind development increases the pace of the Polish energy transition and brings a number of benefits for the economy. It is crucial to take measures aimed at such a change to the energy sector where wind energy will play a key role. “Orlen Neptun I is actively seeking companies to build a local supply chain which enables technological, educational and economic growth. The construction of an installation port in Poland will enable the offshore sector in Poland and the local supply chain to become the flywheel of the Polish economy,” said Anna Trzeciakowska, President of the Management Board, Baltic Power. 

 

Investment opportunities in the Polish wind energy sector are attractive also to foreign companies. “Vestas sees a number of opportunities for cooperation with local suppliers to build the Polish wind energy sector, including offshore. Local Polish companies exhibit the potential to become competitive at the local and regional level, as the wind energy industry becomes one of the pillars of global transition to zero-carbon energy. The long-awaited liberalisation of the 10 h rule and the planned substantial undersea pipelines make Poland one of the most interesting wind energy markets in the world, and Vestas’ strong presence here is one of our priorities,” said Nils de Baar, Vestas CEO for Central and Northern Europe.

 

The third day of the PWEA Conference saw the International Supplier Day, demonstrating the strength of cross-border cooperation that builds a strong, European offshore industry. Polish companies, foreign investors and representatives of states from the Baltic Sea region discussed how to develop offshore wind sector in Poland.

Offshore wind farms are the main large-scale and carbon-free renewable energy source technology with enough potential to substantially contribute to the transition of the energy sector in Poland. “Baltic has offshore potential to become the second North Sea, and Poland is the largest Baltic Sea country. The currently assumed 11 GW is already being verified by the government in the Energy Policy of Poland until 2040. The industry estimates that Polish Baltic Sea potential is much higher and reaches as much as 28 GW. Poland may become the logistical, service and production centre for the Baltic Sea,” stated Dan Finch, Country Manager, Ocean Winds.

Poland may become a leader in offshore wind development in the Baltic Sea region and in Europe — we only need to properly estimate and subsequently harness the potential of the Baltic Sea. Onshore and offshore wind energy was discussed over three days dring the largest industry event, the 2022 PWEA Conference in Serock, held on 13–15 June.

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