Although Poland’s current total installed capacity of 724 MW is significantly smaller than many other European countries, Poland is already leading the EU’s newer member states in the production of wind-powered electricity. In 2008, wind covered a 0.5% share of the country’s electricity consumption, but by 2010 this should rise to 2.3%, the Polish Wind Energy Association (PWEA) reports.
By 2020, Poland is expected to have a total installed capacity of up to 12,500 MW, 12,000 MW of which will be onshore and the rest offshore, EWEA’s Pure Power report finds. Poland has not yet ventured into offshore wind energy, but the ‘Energy Policy of Poland until 2030’, adopted by the Polish Council of Ministers in November 2009, outlines the country’s intention to support the development of wind farms both on land and at sea.
“Poland is not yet visible on the world wind energy map, but our country does have a significant development potential,” PWEA claims. While no detailed maps of the country’s wind resources are available, PWEA says that its wind conditions are close to those of one of the leading wind energy generators, Germany.
“Wind is an inexhaustible and renewable energy source, its exploitation allows us to save limited fossil fuels resources,” says PWEA, adding that: “wind energy allows us to reach numerous ecological, economic and social advantages”.
From 20-23 April this year, Poland will host Europe’s largest wind energy conference and exhibition, the European Wind Energy Conference.
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