Polish lawmakers have advanced legislation aimed at facilitating the construction of wind energy projects, a move expected to lead to lower electricity prices for millions. In late June, the Polish parliament approved a bill that reduces the minimum distance required between wind farms and residential areas, while still maintaining distance restrictions from protected natural habitats.
Climate Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska highlighted the importance of this legislation, stating, “The more power we have from renewable sources, the lower electricity prices will be.” This initiative is part of a broader strategy to bolster Poland’s renewable energy sector, which has been a key focus for the current government amid the country’s high greenhouse gas emissions. A report from 2024 indicated that Poland has the second-highest greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union relative to its economic size.
The draft legislation gained initial approval in March, but it must still clear the Senate and receive presidential assent before becoming law. The government has emphasized renewable energy as a priority in its campaign, marking this bill as a significant step in that direction.
Earlier this year, state-owned utility Enea announced its acquisition of six wind farms, effectively doubling its capacity for wind energy. Enea has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Poland has also emerged as a leader in solar energy adoption, having increased its solar capacity by over 450% in the past five years—more than three times the growth rate of the European Union as a whole. As of last year, nearly 30% of Poland’s electricity was generated from renewable sources, surpassing the United States, which stood at 21.4% by the end of 2023.
The legislative changes reflect Poland’s growing commitment to renewable energy and its efforts to transition towards a more sustainable energy future.
