
Breadcrumbs
Change is in the wind
Poland’s restrictive laws block it from deploying half of the onshore wind that is necessary for Europe’s 2030 climate goals.
Highlights
99.7%
99.7% of Polish land is excluded from wind investments due to the 10H distancing rule
10 GW
Due to planning restrictions, the maximum available onshore wind capacity is limited to 10 GW
2x
To achieve the EU’s climate targets, the capacity needs to be twice what is possible under current policy
About
In the report, we’ve assessed onshore wind distancing rules in all European Union member states, showing that Poland’s current policy is among the most strict.
We’ve further analysed 7 decarbonisation scenarios for the Polish power sector authored by the European Commission, Bloomberg NEF, McKinsey, Instrat, Forum Energii, Agora Energiewende and the Center for Climate and Energy Analyses. Our research indicates that Poland’s planning restrictions block it from deploying half of the onshore wind that is necessary for Europe’s 2030 climate goals.
Executive summary
Polish wind restrictions jeopardise EU climate goals and energy security
Poland’s restrictive laws block it from deploying half of the onshore wind that is necessary for Europe’s 2030 climate goals.
Pawel Czyzak Senior Energy & Climate Data Analyst, Ember
The future of Europe’s energy system is now being shaped. We are perfectly capable of meeting climate targets while increasing energy security and reducing fossil fuel imports. This cannot be achieved with policy standing in the way and Poland’s onshore wind law needs to be amended immediately.
Analysis
Poland's onshore wind policy
Conclusion
Poland’s wind restrictions need to be lifted immediately
Poland’s restrictive onshore wind law limits the deployment of new wind projects to a value that is not compatible with EU’s climate targets.
An update to Poland’s problematic onshore wind law is already on the table, yet the government is delaying the amendment despite huge public support. Being the cheapest energy source, onshore wind could also help lower the extremely high coal-and-gas-driven electricity prices, currently wreaking havoc in the country’s economy.
Most importantly, Poland’s restrictive onshore wind law limits the deployment of new wind projects to a value that is not compatible with EU’s climate targets. This can have catastrophic consequences in a country that is one of Europe’s top CO2 emitters. With the success of the European Green Deal and Europe’s energy security at stake, the provision of state aid for Poland’s coal mining and power sectors should be conditional on a swift amendment to the onshore wind law.