Biznes Fakty
Tusk on the windmill bill: we found ways, the presidential veto will be ineffective
The capacity of land-based wind turbines is set to be increased mainly through a process known as repowering, irrespective of the presidential veto. Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared on Wednesday that the relevant regulations are already in place. He emphasized that electricity generated by wind turbines will be produced „one way or another.”
During a Cabinet Council meeting on Wednesday, the Prime Minister addressed the topic of the so-called wind farm bill, which was vetoed by President Karol Nawrocki. This bill included rules concerning the construction of wind turbines as well as provisions on extending the freeze on energy prices for the fourth quarter of this year. Tusk pointed out that he is not particularly inclined towards wind farms but acknowledged that they represent „the most affordable and quickest source of electricity.”
„I have some positive news for the citizens of Poland and unfortunate news for the president. We are going to significantly escalate the capacity from onshore wind turbines. Not due to our enthusiasm for wind turbines, but because they are currently the least expensive and fastest option for generating electricity,” the Prime Minister articulated during the Cabinet Council.
„Mr. President, I have information that wind turbines will indeed be erected, and we have identified methods to expedite our efforts through a regulatory decree. Thus, the veto will have no effect. The president may not be pleased with this, but I will be content,” Tusk conveyed to Nawrocki.
Post-meeting, Tusk confirmed that the regulation is already arranged. „Regardless of the presidential veto, we will enhance the capacity of onshore wind turbines primarily via repowering. This involves replacing current turbines at existing sites with new, more efficient models,” the Prime Minister explained. He added that in areas where simplified environmental regulations permit, taller masts will be constructed.
The Prime Minister reiterated that electricity from wind turbines will flow „one way or another.” He also mentioned that Climate Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska and Energy Minister Miłosz Motyka are expected to reveal specific solutions to enhance the turbines’ efficiency „even today.”
„The president does not permit such a situation”
Zbigniew Bogucki, head of the Chancellery of the President, was questioned at the press conference following the Cabinet Council regarding Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s statement about the construction of wind farms and the discovery of ways to boost these activities via regulation.
„The president will not tolerate a situation where a presidential veto, which can certainly be overridden by a qualified majority vote in compliance with the Polish Constitution, is bypassed through various executive actions. Such measures are unconstitutional,” he remarked.
He contended that such actions would represent an effort to evade the constitution and disrupt the legal framework, asserting that „by the will of the people, the president of the Republic of Poland serves as the guardian of the constitution, possessing the necessary powers and prerogatives, which must be respected by all, including the Prime Minister of the Polish government,” Bogucki emphasized.
Presidential veto
Recently, President Karol Nawrocki vetoed a modification to the so-called wind farm law, which also contained provisions to freeze electricity prices until the year’s end.
This amendment pertains to the Wind Farm Investment Act and other related statutes. The primary objective of the act is to liberalize existing regulations surrounding investments in onshore wind farms. It abolishes the 10H rule established in 2016 and sets a minimum allowable distance of 500 meters for new wind turbines from residential structures, down from the current 700 meters.
Alongside stipulations for the construction of wind turbines, the act also includes a provision added during parliamentary discussions that extends the freeze on the net electricity price for households at PLN 500 per MWh until the fourth quarter of 2025. The freeze is presently effective until the end of September.
