Biznes Fakty
Windmills. The government has adopted the project
Climate Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska stated that the government has approved a draft amendment to the windmill legislation, which is currently in circulation. The minimum distance for wind turbines from buildings is set to be 500 meters.
„This marks a significant advancement in the government’s initiatives aimed at lowering electricity prices in Poland. We are implementing measures that will bolster energy production from renewable resources,” Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska highlighted on social media.
Windmills. New guidelines
One of the key alterations proposed in the amendment is the elimination of the 10H rule established in 2016 and the establishment of 500 m as the minimum separation of wind turbines from buildings.
Furthermore, the minimum distance of the turbine from the edge of a national park is set to be 1,500 m, and from designated Natura 2000 sites – 500 m. This regulation aims to safeguard areas around Natura 2000 zones created for the conservation of bat and bird habitats.
Read more: Hennig-Kloska: this bill has caused a lot of windmill spins >>>
The proposal introduces greater flexibility in the placement of wind farms near high-voltage power lines. Existing regulations stipulate a minimum distance of 3H. It is intended that during the development of a local spatial development plan (MPZP) for a specific wind project, the investor could negotiate a reduced distance with the transmission operator.
The latest revision of the project includes provisions regarding repowering, which refers to the modernization of current wind turbines. A minimum separation of 1H for new wind turbines from national roads has also been established, equating to the maximum height of the rotor blade above ground level. Concurrently, when the governor issues a decision on the permit for road investment (ZRID), they will mandate the removal of wind turbines situated closer than 1H from the planned national road and will restrict the issuance of building permits in that vicinity.
Regarding repowering, the proposal indicates that for the modernization of turbines that were built based on a development decision or local plan (MPZP) that specifies smaller turbine dimensions than those after modernization, a complete planning process will be required, culminating in the adoption of a new local plan. If the MPZP allows for modernization, no changes will be necessary, enabling the issuance of environmental decisions and building permits, provided the investment complies with the 500 m distance from residential structures and 1H from national roads.
It is also anticipated that the construction of wind turbines will be prohibited in areas of military significance – MCTR airspace (military airport controlled zone) and MRT (military aviation route).
Other modifications include a proposed amendment to the Renewable Energy Sources Act, allowing renewable energy producers to account for electricity produced and sold at negative prices in relation to settling the sales obligation under the auction system.
The proposal also foresees the implementation of an auction support system for biomethane installations with a capacity exceeding 1 MW. Separate auctions are to be established for biomethane installations with an installed electrical capacity of less than 2 MW and those that are equal to or greater than 2 MW. Additionally, regulations for the direct biogas pipeline connecting the producer with the consumer are proposed. Instead of requiring approval from the President of the Energy Regulatory Office, it will suffice to notify the regulator within 30 days after the start of biogas transmission through a direct pipeline.
