Abstract
The aim of the paper was to analyse the wind power market in Poland by reviewing the factors that shape and influence its current state and the possible development prospects. The paper was focused on legislative, environmental, manufacturing, sociocultural and economic factors. Barriers to the development of onshore wind power market and the expected development of wind energy in Poland in the years 2017-2020 were identified and measured based on a survey. The review of individual factors and the study performed present that legislative barriers and the introduction of the ‘distance act’ are factors with the biggest influence on the current stagnation of onshore wind energy sector. A review of the recommendations concerning the distance (from protected areas and housing) required to build wind farms set forth in literature shows that Poland is the only country with such harsh restrictions. With its good environmental conditions and technical capacities, Poland can become a European leader in the production of energy from wind. The only barrier is the legislative environment and political instability on the national level. Without improvements in this sector, there is no chance for new wind projects, as these factors are crucial for development of this type of energy.
Highlights
In the times of gradually diminishing resources of fossil fuels and a growing energy demand, renewable power seems to be a lifebelt for the global economy and the natural environment
The Act introduced major restrictions, in particular, when it comes to minimum distance between wind turbines and occupied buildings and nature conservation areas, and the possibility to choose investment site exclusively based on local zoning plans (LZP)
The following conclusions have been drawn from the study: 1) The review of legislative factors and an own study pointed to legislative barriers, including introduction of the distance act, as the most significant factor responsible for the current stagnation of the onshore wind energy sector
Summary
In the times of gradually diminishing resources of fossil fuels and a growing energy demand, renewable power seems to be a lifebelt for the global economy and the natural environment. 2009/28/CE [1,2,3,4], Poland was obligated to reach at least a 15% share of energy from renewable sources in gross final consumption of energy. Hard bituminous coal and lignite remain the main sources of energy in Poland, with the respective shares of 50% and 31.4% in the overall production of energy [5]. Onshore wind power allows to obtain 5824 MW (69%) of the total of 8538 MW (as at 30.09.2017) [6] of installed capacity of RES. The economically and environmentally justified share of onshore wind power in the Polish energy market is estimated to amount to 10 GW, compared to today’s 5.8 GW of installed capacity of onshore wind energy
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