THE JUBILEE Xth PWEA CONFERENCE&EXHIBITION IS OVER
For two days Serock has been the European wind energy capital. This was caused by the jubilee Xth Polish Wind Energy Association Conference&Exhibition. The Conference was opened by the Rzeczpospolita debate: “The role and place of wind energy in the Energy Policy of Poland”, participated by: Wojciech Cetnarski – PWEA President; dr Henryk Majchrzak – President, PSE S.A.; Janusz Pilitowski – Director, Renewable Energy Department, Ministry of Economy; Paweł Smoleń – Partner, Deloitte Consulting; Andrzej Cylwik – President, CASE Doradcy; dr Deger Saygin – representative of International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
After five years of waiting the industry finally received the RES Act, laying down the framework for the new green energy support scheme. “The scheme opens a 15-year perspective for stable and predictable cash flow for new projects that will prove their economic legitimacy to gain support. More importantly, the new scheme was introduced with respect to accrued rights of previous investors”, PWEA President, Wojciech Cetnarski, stressed during the debate.
Currently it is crucial to specify the role of RES, including the dynamically developing wind energy technology, in the long-term perspective established by the “Energy Policy of Poland until 2050” (PEP 2050). This is more important given the fact that we are not only facing the challenge of meeting the 2020 EU target for RES development of 15% share in total energy consumption, but also the new target established by the European Commission – 27 percent by 2030. Ministry of Economy is to publish PEP 2050 by the end of the year, for it wants to wait for the arrangements of the Paris climmate summit.
“The document will include milestones for the development of renewable sources in gross energy consumption. The ambitious targets set by the European Commission for 2030 will be reflected therein above the targets set for 2020”, declared Janusz Pilitowski, Director of Ministry’s of Economy Renewable Energy Department.
All participants of the debate agreed that it is necessary to diversify the conventional and renewable fuel mix and to ensure steady development of the latter.
“In Poland there is place both for coal and renewable sources, including wind as the least expensive RES technology today. Each technology has its place in the system, for no single one may substitute the other. We are moving towards distributed generation, based on hybrid systems, also on a local level – e.g. biogas combined with wind. This train cannot be stopped; who misses it, looses its opportunity”, explained Paweł Smoleń, Deloitte Consulting Partner. In accordance with Smoleń further development of the RES industry will enable to extend the period of Poland’s use of its depleting hard coal and lignite reserves.
“I am very happy that renewable energy support costs are decreasing. This demonstrates that the technology faces much future opportunities. This is also demonstrated by RES installed capcaity growth ratios”, said PSE S.A. President. Dr Henryk Majchrzak also expressed his interest in the development of offshore wind energy. “Sooner or later we will have our Polish wind farms built in the Baltic Sea and coordinated with neighbouring countries’ grids. This is a certain future, and the PWEA Conference is an opportunity to exchange opinions in that respect”, he said.
However, the situation on the renewable energy sources market will depend on executive regulations to the RES Act, which are to be issued by Minister for Economy and the Council of Ministers. “The specificaiton of the auction reference price and volume of energy contracted each year will be of fundamental importance for the standing of the entire RES industry”, stressed Wojciech Cetnarski, President of the Polish Wind Energy Association.
Broad opportunities for wind energy were discussed, among others, by Dariusz Szwed, an aide to the president of Słupsk. He declared that the city’s authorities intend to switch Słupsk exclusively to local, renewable energy sources by 2030. “We are at the forefront of liberating the Pole’s energy”, summarised the aide to the president of Słupsk.
The Conference attendees also stressed the importance of a reliable message concerning wind energy and demonstrating the true daily life next to wind turbines. In the cradle of the Polish wind energy, the Kisielice commune, there are more than 50 wind turbines, bringing the commune PLN 6 million of annual income. The turbines also became a tourist attraction. “Our inhabitants see that one can live with that without harm to anyone”, summarised Tomasz Koprowiak, former Mayor of Kisielice.
The jubilee tenth PWEA Conference&Exhibition was the largest industry event in Central and Eastern Europe. The event discusses key issues related to wind energy development in Poland. Serock was visited by more than 700 experts. A list of new products, services and technological solutions for the wind power industry was presented by almost 50 exhibitors from all around the globe. The Conference featured six thematic sessions: (1) the role of wind energy in the Energy Policy of Poland, (2) wind farm O&M models, (3) new rules for locating wind turbines, (4) new noise regulations pertaining to wind energy, (5) the market for wind farm ancillary services and (6) wind farms on the energy market.