Poland: Draft law to support renewables will ease rules for wind farm construction

Poland has introduced a new bill aimed at investment in wind farms and other key areas. The proposed legislation aims to increase the share of renewable energy sources, reduce energy costs for consumers and accelerate the transition to green energy.

According to CEEnergy News, Poland has taken an important step to support renewable energy sources. A key part of the new draft law is a substantial expansion of the areas available for wind energy investment. Poland previously applied the so-called “10H rule”, which set the minimum distance between a wind farm and residential buildings at ten times the highest point reached by a turbine blade.

Under the draft law, the minimum required distance is reduced to 500 meters. The rule is expected to increase the amount of land eligible for wind projects by 44%, potentially adding nearly 10 GW of new onshore wind capacity by 2030.

The draft law also includes provisions for developing infrastructure for biomethane. Support for biomethane production is expected not only to reduce the country's dependence on energy imports, but also to create jobs and boost the local economy. Under the bill's preamble, biomethane production facilities will be considered essential to Poland's energy transition, as they help meet renewable energy targets in transport and can enable the production of biohydrogen. Poland currently lags significantly in biomethane production.

The proposed legislation is backed by Poland's Ministry of Climate and Environment, which considers it a key driver of economic growth, particularly in local communities. By supporting investment in renewable energy sources, the bill will create new revenue streams through municipal property taxes and reduce costs for businesses. According to the ministry, it will also benefit energy-intensive industries by helping them reduce their carbon footprint, which is now a prerequisite for competitiveness.

Polish ministries also expect the landmark legislation to create more than 30,000 new jobs, particularly in the energy, construction and consulting sectors. In addition to improving the investment climate, it promises to foster cooperation between the government, industry and local communities as they work to meet Poland's renewable energy targets.