Over the past year and a half, Statkraft has announced a series of milestones in its expansion within the Polish Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) market.

Kornel Koronowski, Head of Origination Poland at Statkraft, shared with Energía Estratégica España that the company has secured numerous strategic agreements with a wide range of industries, including steel, telecommunications, and construction materials. These contracts reflect the strong growth of the PPA market in Poland.

One notable agreement was signed with CMC Poland, a state-of-the-art steel mill that has improved its energy efficiency and reduced its carbon footprint through a steady supply of green energy. This deal not only secures a significant volume of renewable energy but also lays the groundwork for future decarbonization projects in the industrial sector.

Another key achievement was the signing of the first global virtual PPA with Air Liquide, a leader in industrial gases and technology services. This agreement sets a precedent for implementing PPAs that do not rely on the physical location of the provider and consumer, thereby optimizing the integration of renewable sources on a global scale.

Statkraft also reached an agreement with Play, one of Poland’s leading telecommunications companies. This innovative base-load green PPA ensures a continuous supply of clean energy, enabling Play to advance its commitments to reducing emissions while securing competitively priced energy.

Kornel Koronowski, responsable de Origination Poland de Statkraft

Additionally, Statkraft finalized a contract with global construction materials leader CEMEX, further showcasing its ability to provide tailored energy products that meet the specific demands of energy-intensive sectors.

“From enhancing our strategic cooperation with CMC Poland—covering up to 400 GWh per year—to our first global virtual PPA with the Air Liquide Group, we have taken significant steps to deliver energy solutions that not only reduce costs but also offer long-term predictability and sustainability,” Koronowski noted.

Renewable Energy Trends in Poland

Koronowski explained that “the market is driven by the need to maintain competitive energy prices, corporate sustainability goals, and budget predictability.” The growing interest in renewable PPAs in Poland reflects a global trend where more companies seek sustainable alternatives to secure their energy future, aligning with environmental goals while safeguarding economic viability.

However, according to a Pexapark report, PPA prices in Europe have shown mixed trends in recent months.

Overall, most PPA prices continued to rise, with the Pexapark EURO Composite closing at €52.25/MWh by the end of August 2024. In Great Britain, PPA prices saw the largest increase, rising by 3.7% due to seasonal forward energy contracts driven by global gas market volatility. In contrast, PPA prices in Poland, France, and Germany decreased by 0.2%, 0.9%, and 0.1%, respectively.

The increasing demand for more sophisticated energy products reflects the need for companies to ensure stable and predictable energy supplies, even amid price volatility in traditional energy markets.

Statkraft’s recent agreements in Poland not only highlight the growth of the country’s renewable energy market but also underscore its commitment to innovation and sustainability in key industrial sectors. With a strategy combining price competitiveness, sustainability, and predictability, the Norwegian company continues to strengthen its leadership in green energy supply globally.

Tendencias de PPA según Pexapark.

Boosting Renewable Energy in Poland’s Energy Strategy

The rise of renewable PPAs in Poland aligns with the goals set by the government in its National Energy and Climate Plan for 2030 (KPEiK 2030).

This document, part of Poland’s commitments to the European Union, projects that renewable energy will account for 32.6% of the national energy mix by that date, with a particularly significant role in electricity generation.

Current forecasts indicate that photovoltaic and wind energy will take center stage, with over 29 GW of installed capacity in solar energy and 19 GW in onshore wind farms by 2030. Additionally, the country will invest in offshore wind farms, as well as the development of biogas and small hydroelectric plants, creating a more diversified and sustainable energy system.

This increase in renewable energy is part of a broader effort to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% compared to 1990 levels, as well as to lower electricity generation costs by 13% by the end of the decade.