The Sejm of the Republic of Poland, the Polish parliament, gave the green light to a crucial amendment to the Offshore Wind Farm Electricity Generation Promotion Act (UD 159), a move aimed at consolidating the role of offshore wind energy in the country’s energy transition. The bill, approved in its second and third readings with overwhelming support of 409 votes in favor, is now heading to the Senate for final review.

The most notable aspect of this reform is the possibility of setting differentiated maximum prices in the phase II offshore project auctions, based on the location of the designated areas. According to the Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment, Miłosz Motyka, this measure aims to ensure the viability of projects in more geophysically challenging areas. “We want to set prices that allow the proper implementation of projects without overloading households with high bills,” Motyka states, emphasizing the importance of planning that aligns with investors’ timelines.

The amendment addresses the technical and financial challenges inherent to wind energy development in areas further from the coast. According to The Polish Wind Energy Association, this measure is “a fundamental step to ensure realistic and sustainable development of offshore wind energy in Poland.”

A Key Sector for the Economy and Sustainability

Deputy Ireneusz Zyska, from the Law and Justice Parliamentary Club, highlighted the economic impact of offshore wind energy, projecting a value of up to 300 billion PLN for the industry. He also stressed the need to expedite the legislative process, noting that delays in presenting this amendment could have jeopardized the achievement of key milestones in the National Reconstruction Plan.

Meanwhile, Deputy Anna Sobolak emphasized the long-term economic benefits. “Investments in offshore wind energy will significantly reduce electricity costs and minimize fines for greenhouse gas emissions,” she asserts. This approach reaffirms Poland’s commitment to transitioning to renewable energy.

A Renewed and Modernized Tradition

The debate also included references to the history of windmills in Poland. Deputy Piotr Paweł Strach, from Poland 2050 – Third Way, pointed out that “before World War II, Poland had more than 7,000 windmills,” linking the country’s historical tradition with the rise of modern wind technology. He also emphasized that the carbon footprint of wind energy is significantly lower compared to fossil fuels.

An Unprecedented Investment Plan

In addition to the legislative amendments, the Polish government foresees a massive investment of 64 billion zlotys by 2034 in electrical infrastructure, including projects to improve energy evacuation from offshore wind farms. According to Motyka, this effort will eliminate bottlenecks in the country’s energy transformation.

Future Prospects

The approval of these legislative amendments in the Sejm marks a crucial step toward consolidating offshore wind energy as a pillar of Poland’s energy transition. As stated by The Polish Wind Energy Association, “everything points to the government’s commitment to an intensive development of offshore wind energy.” With the bill now in the hands of the Senate, Poland is expected to strengthen its position as a leader in renewable energy in the region.