Polish Parliament approves liberalisation in wind farm regulations

The Polish Parliament approved legislation that eases rules for building onshore wind farms. According to the government, this is an important step in boosting renewable energy production and lowering electricity prices.

In a vote held late Wednesday night, the rules reduced the distance between planned installations, and residential areas, but kept permitting restrictions for projects near protected natural areas.

Bill will include clauses that will freeze energy prices until the end the year for householders, as well as incentives for municipalities and home owners in the areas nearest to new wind farms.

We all agree that this is a positive step in lowering power prices, both for Poles and the economy. "The more electricity we generate from renewable sources, then the lower our electricity prices will be," said Climate Minister Paulina Hnnig-Kloska to Parliament on Wednesday.

The current government has made a key election promise to boost renewable energy production after the previous administration had blocked the development of onshore winds for the majority of its eight-year tenure in office.

The law must be approved by both the Senate and the President. Andrzej duda, the outgoing head of state, and Karol Nawrocki, the president-elect both have expressed skepticism about easing permit requirements for wind farm.

Duda claimed on Wednesday that the government is trying to force him into signing the wind farm bill, by adding the last-minute addition to freeze electricity prices.

The proportion of renewable energy has increased at the expense coal, which continues to dominate the mix. By 2024, almost 30% of Polish power will be generated by renewable sources. Currently, the country has 11 gigawatts of wind installed capacity. (Reporting and editing by Stephen Coates; Marek Strzelecki)

(source: Reuters)