Poland boosts capacity covered by first round CfDs

In the new draft, the capacity that will be supported under a two-sided contract for difference (CfD) in the first round of projects has been increased from 4.6 GW to 5.9 GW.

Polish Wind Energy Association (PWEA) vice-president Kamila Tarnacka said allowing more projects to take part in the first round and the adoption of a stable legislative framework provided by CfDs would enhance investor interest in the market.

The PWEA said the 5.9 GW of capacity now included in the first round of CfDs broadly corresponds to the capacity of projects that are sufficiently advanced to have already signed, or are soon to sign, a connection agreement.

“More ambitious targets set for the first phase of development of offshore wind power in Poland and the Sector Deal with the Polish Government are further strong signals for companies in the supply chain,” said Ms Tarnacka.

“The Polish wind industry is ready to increase its manufacturing capacity in order to meet the future demand for components and services for windfarms.”

The new draft also includes a solution for connecting offshore windfarms to the grid. It is envisaged that investors will be responsible for building and financing grid connections between windfarms and the onshore grid, but the Polish TSO, Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne will have the right of pre-emption if a transmission asset is sold by an investor.

PWEA president Janusz Gajowiecki said the plan was “an optimal solution” that aligns grid construction with the construction of generation assets.

“It will ensure that clean and cheap energy from Baltic Sea windfarms will be connected to the Polish grid around 2025,” he said.

The next round projects will be launched via an auction process in 2025, with a second auction two years later. Support will be available for projects with a total capacity of 2.5 GW in each of the auctions.