Renewable energy regulations in Poland - Auctions in 2017

Global |  Publication |  December 2016

The Polish government published draft renewable energy regulations in November 2016, setting the maximum volume and value of electricity to be auctioned, and the order of auctions to be held in 2017. The details are set out below.

Context
Renewable energy sources in Poland have been developing at an uneven pace, with most growth in the wind sector. The Polish government is now going to focus on technologies relying on biogas, biomass and hydropower, and on solar (PV) installations (seen as important to the security of Poland’s energy supply, especially during the summer months). Certain types of installation will not be allotted anything in 2017: no auctions will be held in these categories – this includes wind farms that are already in operation.

The law
The Renewable Energy Sources Act, 2015  (Journal of Laws 2015, 478)

A

Poland – the maximum volume and value of electricity from renewable energy sources to be sold at auction in 2017

Categories of auction baskets

Renewable energy installations (operating before 1 July 2016)

Installations
> more than
˂ less than

Maximum
volume 
 

Maximum
value 
 

Capacity utilisation rate >3,504 MWh/MW per year
Installed capacity ˂1 MW

 1,659,047 MWh
 		 PLN 556,174,673
 

Capacity utilisation rate >3,504 MWh/MW per year
Installed capacity ˂1 MW Emit ˂100 kg carbon dioxide per MWh

 784,122 MWh
 		 PLN 337,458,778
 

Capacity utilisation rate >3,504 MWh/MW per year
Installed capacity >1 MW

 10,502,338 MWh
 		 PLN 3,768,589,370
 
Renewable energy installations (start operating after the auction closes)

Installations
> more than
˂ less than

Maximum
volume 
 
Maximum
value 
 

Capacity utilisation rate >3,504 MWh/MW per year
Installed capacity ˂1 MW

825,000 MWh
 

PLN 308,182,262
 

Capacity utilisation rate >3,504 MWh/MW per year
Installed capacity ˂1 MW
Emit ˂100 kg carbon dioxide per MWh

540,000 MWh
 
 

PLN 299,025,631
 
 

Installed capacity ˂1 MW
Use only agricultural biogas

8,190,000 MWh
 

PLN 5,280,863,522
 

Installed capacity ˂1 MW
Belong to categories other than those listed in the Renewable
Energy Sources Act (article 3 s3a) (e.g. wind farms, PV plants)

4,725,000 MWh
 
 

PLN 2,182,908,687
 
 

Capacity utilisation rate >3,504 MWh/MW per year
Installed capacity >1 MW

10,500,000 MWh
 

PLN 5,423,952,758
 

Capacity utilisation rate >3,504 MWh/MW per year
Installed capacity >1 MW
Emit ˂100 kg carbon dioxide per MWh

540,000 MWh
 
 

PLN 305,387,878
 
 

Installed capacity >1 MW
Use only agricultural biogas

3,510,000 MWh
 

PLN 1,972,413,921
 

Installed capacity >1 MW
Belong to categories other than those listed in the Renewable
Energy Sources Act (article 3 s3a)

5,175,000 MWh
 
 

PLN 1,972,413,921
 
 

The government expects to see new capacities as a result of the new regulations types of installation:

  • Agricultural biogas plants (installed capacity ˂1 MW–70 MW and >1 MW–30 MW)
  • Biogas installations at landfills (installed capacity ˂1 MW–5 MW)
  • Biogas installations at sewage treatment plants (installed capacity ˂1 MW–5 MW)
  • Dedicated biomass firing installations (installed capacity >1 MW–100MW)
  • Hydropower plants (installed capacity ˂1 MW–10 MW and >1 MW–10 MW)
  • Solar (PV) power plants (installed capacity >1 MW–300 MW)
  • Wind power plants (installed capacity >1 MW–150 MW)

B

Poland – the order of auctions for the sale of electricity from renewable energy sources in 2017

Auctions will be aimed at existing biogas installations at landfills, biomass firing installations and small-scale hydropower plants. The focus is on those categories of renewable energy installation among which there is a high supply of projects (and therefore a high level of competition).

In 2017, auctions should follow the order set out below.

Renewable energy installations (operating before 1 July 2016)

Installations
> more than
˂ less than                                                                                                                                            

Capacity utilisation rate >3,504 MWh/MW per year
Installed capacity ˂1 MW

Capacity utilisation rate >3,504 MWh/MW per year

Installed capacity ˂1 MW
Emit ˂100 kg carbon dioxide per MWh

Capacity utilisation rate >3,504 MWh/MW per year
Installed capacity >1 MW
Renewable energy installations (start operating after the auction closes)

Installations
> more than
˂ less than                                                                                                                                            

Installed capacity >1 MW
Belong to categories other than those listed in the Renewable Energy Sources Act (article 3 s3a

Capacity utilisation rate >3,504 MWh/MW per year
Installed capacity ˂1 MW

Capacity utilisation rate >3,504 MWh/MW per year
Installed capacity ˂1 MW
Emit ˂100 kg carbon dioxide per MWh

Capacity utilisation rate >3,504 MWh/MW per year
Installed capacity >1 MW
Emit ˂100 kg carbon dioxide per MWh

Capacity utilisation rate >3,504 MWh/MW per year
Installed capacity >1 MW

Installed capacity ˂1 MW
Use only agricultural biogas

Installed capacity >1 MW
Use only agricultural biogas

Installed capacity >1 MW
Belong to categories other than those listed in the Renewable Energy Sources Act (article 3 s3a)


Practice areas:

Industry:

Recent publications

creative-communication-and-internet-network-connect-in-smart-city

Publication

Financial services regulation and investment research: Regulation Around the World

In this edition of Regulation Around the World we review recent steps that financial services regulatory authorities have taken as regards investment research.

Global | April 26, 2024

Financial services and regulation
Hong Kong

Publication

Antitrust and competition law in Asia: A regional guide

Our Asia Competition Law facts sheets provide insights into the main competition law regimes across Asia, reflecting the experience and reach of our Asia competition team in an ever changing and increasingly complex competition law environment.

Global | April 22, 2024

Antitrust and competition

Publication

Energy Act 2023: System Operation and Energy Code Governance

In the seventh in our series of briefings following the passing of the Energy Act 2023 (the Act) on 26 October 2023, our team at Norton Rose Fulbright look at the framework adopted under the Act to build an efficient, flexible, low carbon and low-cost electricity and gas systems and its potential implications.

Global | April 19, 2024

Energy, infrastructure and resources
Site search

Subscribe and stay up to date with the latest legal news, information and events . . .

Register now