The impact of wind farms on energy security of the region, environmental impact of investments, opportunities for local self-governments development, public communication – these were the main subjects discussed during the IVth Regional Wind Energy Conference held in Gdańsk on 26 September 2012.
The Conference was organised by the Marshal’s Office of the Pomorskie Province together with the Polish Wind Energy Association (PWEA).
Wind energy development in the Pomorskie province is supported by a number of arguments. These are primarily economic, ecological and social arguments.
The size of RES installations in the Pomorskie province is not impressive – only 246 MW of installed capacity in 27 installations. The second number means that, luckily, the system is not “spoiled” with decommissioned wind turbines that flood Poland. Due to perfect wind conditions and relatively good energy infrastructure the province is very attractive for investments and naturally predisposed to the development of this RES sector. In accordance with a report by the Renewable Energy Institute (IEO) the economic potential of wind energy in the Pomorskie province amounts to approximately 10 thousand MW.
It has to be stresses that the province not only features new wind farms, but also benefits from the economic growth accompanying the wind energy sector. In accordance with the E&Y report entitled “The impact of wind energy on economic growth in Poland” in the 2012-20 period the total value of investment in Poland may reach approximately PLN 23 billion (for example, the average annual investment in the machines and devices production sector in the 2009-10 period reached PLN 1 470 million). A substantial part of the funds may be invested in the Pomorskie province. The Tri-City shipyards already build wind farm components; furthermore, many developers and designers are registered here.
In accordance with the Polish Wind Energy Association (PWEA) estimates currently enterprises related with the wind energy sector in Poland employ approximately 2 thousand people – half of which is employed in the Pomorskie province! In the 2020 perspective the employment in such enterprises may increase from approximately 9,7 thousand to as much as approximately 28,5 thousand, depending on the scenario for the development of the industry manufacturing turbine and tower elements.
– ‘Alas, the new draft RES Act artificially limits wind energy development in the region’, explains PWEA President, Krzysztof Prasałek. – ‘Adoption of the Act in its current design will bring green energy development in our country to a halt and force many investors to withdraw from the Polish market. It would be an obvious blow for the Pomorskie province, and a loss of prospective economic growth of the region. The Act will also affect local governments, companies building wind farms and farmers, who may lose a fixed income source.’
Towards Offshore
What will be the future of the wind energy sector when the new RES Act will become effective? Where are the best areas for investment? This is the question asked by many entrepreneurs in Poland who see their opportunity in the development of renewable energy sources. The Offshore Conference&Exhibition, to be held on 10-11 October 2012 in Sopot, is an invitation to take a business heading for offshore wind farms.
– ‘It has to be reminded that by 2020 on average 3500 MW of offshore wind will be annually commissioned in Europe. The cost of 1 MW of installed offshore capacity amounts to 2-4 million euro; hence a substantial part of the market worth 10 billion euro per year may be invested in our country!’,
Krzysztof Prasałek stresses. ‘In Poland we have a very attractive economic and social potential for offshore wind energy. However, to rapidly and effectively exploit these opportunities one has to observe the following
principle:
analyse broadly and with courage, start as soon as possible and act quickly
– there is not much time left for a success.
Of course, at least few years will pass before we build the first turbine in the Baltic Sea. We have to amend the law, including maritime and environmental provisions, and develop energy infrastructure. However, the offshore wind power sector comprises not only the production of energy from wind farms, but also the construction of towers and artificial islands, the production of dedicated vessels and transmission grid elements. Poland may become one of the leaders and exporters of technology and services for the offshore industry, what is already being demonstrated by a number of facilities, including several shipyards.’
Join us during the Conference&Exhibition!
Details to be found at www.offshore.psew.pl “Good wind for regions” Regional Wind Energy Conferences The “Good wind for regions” Regional Wind Energy Conferences are cyclic events organised in different regions of Poland.
Each province is different and unique in terms of wind energy determinants and development possibilities; therefore, we decided to carry out the debate on a regional level. The event enables adaptation of the programme to the current issues applicable to a particular province and facilitates participation of interested parties.
The Conference is dedicated to representatives of local governments, Regional Assembly Councillors, MPs, employees of the Marshal’s and Province Office, the Regional Environmental Protection Directorate, the Spatial Planning Office, representatives of ecological organisations and other organisations interested in wind energy, as well as everyone who wants to learn more about wind energy, clarify one’s doubts and discuss the technology on the area of his province.