Poland’s parliament has approved a new bill aimed at simplifying the construction of onshore wind farms, a move designed to boost renewable energy production and reduce electricity prices. The legislation, reported by Reuters, lowers the distance requirements between wind installations and residential areas while enforcing stricter regulations near protected natural sites. This change marks a departure from past policies that restricted wind energy development for the last eight years.
The current government prioritized renewable energy expansion during its election campaign, and Climate Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska emphasized the bill’s importance for lowering energy costs for consumers and the economy. She stated, “The more power we have from renewable sources, the lower electricity prices will be.”
Before the bill can be enacted, it must be approved by both the Senate and outgoing President Andrzej Duda. Both Duda and president-elect Karol Nawrocki have expressed concerns about easing regulations for wind farm permits. Duda specifically mentioned being pressured to accept the bill due to a proposed amendment aimed at freezing electricity prices at current levels.
As Poland shifts away from coal-dominated power generation, renewable energy sources are expected to account for nearly one-third of the country’s electricity in 2024. With an existing wind power capacity of 11 gigawatts, this legislative update could strengthen Poland’s position in the European clean energy sector.
