Failure to remove barriers to Poland’s onshore wind risks blackouts and higher bills

The far-right party ‘Solidarna Polska’ is now proposing a setback distance of 1000 metres. However, according to Ember’s analysis, this will both reduce the potential for new sites, but also the potential for the much quicker retrofitting of existing turbines (repowering) from 11 gigawatts under 500 metres to just 4 GW – by a significant 64 percent. A distance higher than 500m also means that new gigawatts of wind will only appear within 7 years time – because the existing project pipeline was designed for 500 metre buffer zones. This means it will be too late to fill the gap left by coal plants. It will also further endanger Polish enterprises that are already losing competitiveness on European markets due to the shortage of cheap and clean electricity.

Poland’s onshore wind vote can be a decisive moment – the country is among the last ones that haven’t significantly accelerated the deployment of renewables after Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. This poses a threat to the country’s security, opening it up to fossil fuel shortages and price volatility. Without further action, Poland will be the only country in the EU except Malta generating above 50% of its electricity from fossil fuels in 2030. Poland also needs to build 17-27 GW of onshore wind turbines by 2030 to align with the EU’s climate targets , a value impossible to reach without the 500 metre amendment. Unlocking onshore wind investments is therefore not only the quickest way to enable a secure future and lower electricity bills, but also a must under the European Union’s legally binding commitments.