Green energy or a costly compromise? The expert comments on the windmill act

At the penultimate holiday meeting, the Senate adopted with amendments a draft act amending the act on investments in the field of wind farms and some other acts.

– The windmill act, also known as distance, has a special place in the history of Polish legislation. It was the main act, which the Coalition on October 15 was to adopt before the new government was sworn in on December 13, 2023. Removal of barriers in renewable energy sources investments was to become the DNA of the new government, which finally announced the implementation of the transformation of Polish energy towards low -emission sources – reminds Maciej Stańczuk, chairman of the Energy Transformation Commission in an interview with “Wprost” Business Center Club, energy expert.

Windmill Act – the most important assumptions

The bill adopted by the Senate on July 17 introduces, among others Extending freezing energy prices for households for the fourth quarter, reduction of the minimum distance of new wind farms from housing to 500 m and up to 20 thousand. PLN annually from the Partition Fund for Households located near new wind farms.

According to the expert, the most important assumption of the amendment to the Act is the introduction of the aforementioned 500 m as a minimum allowable distance of new wind turbines from residential buildings (with exceptions).

– The current distance recorded in the applicable Act is 700 m. In addition, the amendment creates a new system of benefits for the inhabitants of the wind farms. Residents of houses located up to 1000 meters from the windmill are to receive up to 20,000. PLN annual compensation for each 1 MW of energy. In this way, the legislator wants to gain the favor of people near whose plots of whose plots are to be built by windmills to encourage them to not assign new projects. It is primarily about gaining the support of farmers, so far reluctant to amend the distance act. This is a very clever and good solution that should be effective – says Maciej Stańczuk.

As he notes, the final version of the act assumes great flexibility in the construction of wind farms near high voltage transmission lines. Support for this solution was provided by the transmission system operator, i.e. Polish energy networks, which – according to Stańczuk – is the most important argument because the company is responsible for the stability of the Polish energy system.

– I was a bit surprised by giving up the requirement of keeping 500 meters from the Natura 2000 areas. However, it turned out that it was agreed with the Chief Inspectorate for Environmental Protection. There are Natura 2000 areas to protect the grass snake or frogs – the location of a wind farm at a distance of 400 meters from their borders should not hurt anyone – says Stańczuk.

Windmill Act – freezing energy prices

The expert positively assesses the unlocking of investments in land wind energy, but also indicates – in his opinion – controversial elements of new regulations.

– I like less that the act extends the freezing mechanism of electricity prices, especially in the current budget situation. Maintaining covers by the end of the year can cost up to PLN 1 billion. I believe that this mechanism should be liquidated a long time ago. However, I realize that this is the price that the legislator must pay to get support for the project – says Maciej Stańczuk.

Expert: “This act should be introduced a long time ago”

As the ministry emphasizes, the windmill act is an impulse for green energy and stable prices, and after its entry into force it is to increase the potential of investment in land wind energy, providing access to cheap and ecological energy and creating new jobs and tax revenues for municipalities.

– We need windmills if we care about cheap energy. This act should be introduced a long time ago. I am glad that the legislative process is coming to an end – says Maciej Stańczuk.

He adds that the fate of the windmill act now depends on the decision of the new president and the position of opposition parties.

– Of course, we do not know what the new president will do, especially since PiS deputies and senators have so far voted against the act, but I hope that he will take into account its necessity to continue the necessary transformation of our energy and mythigration of social concerns, which Senate corrections have just addressed – he sums up.