Wind power in Poland faces an uncertain future if government proposals to restrict the siting of new wind farms and change permitting rules become law, according to the European Wind Energy Association.
The draft proposals by the ruling Law and Justice party indicate that the minimum distance between households, buildings or nature reserves should be at least 10 times the total height of a wind turbine.
The EWEA said the average height of a wind turbine – from base to blade tip – is between 140–160 metres, which would mean that most modern wind turbines would need to be located at least 1.5km away from any residential zone or protected natural area.
The draft law also includes a long and drawn-out permitting process, EWEA said.
“If granted, new permits would last only two years before requiring renewal. Any planned repairs or maintenance would also require consent,” EWEA added.
The wind farm developer would be liable to pay service fees to the technical authorities. Non-compliance with any of these procedures could result in a large fine or even imprisonment of up to two years, the association said.
EWEA chief executive officer Giles Dickson said: “This is a clear statement of intent from the governing party in Poland.
“The draft law proposed is deeply troubling. It will tie new projects up in red tape and make life hard for existing wind turbines that do not meet the legal demands.
“Imposing these rules will damage investor confidence and put the brakes on future deployment in a country with huge potential.”
Image: the Krzecin wind farm in Poland (RWE)
Polish plans put wind at risk
EWEA says government proposals will put ‘breaks on' industry in Poland
By EBS