Renewable Energies: Growth Market Poland
Poland, as people from the Eastern parts of Germany may well know, has turned something of a haven for renewable energy companies. These days, it is not unusual to see wind turbines and bioenergy facilities next to the often quoted white geese and golden fields. Sebastian Wlodarski is a consultant with First Public Relations, a Polish PR agency that manages clients from the energy market among others, and a close observer of the hopping renewable energies industry:
“95% of Poland’s energy is based on coal. But due to the new EU guidelines, there is a huge pressure on energy companies to invest in renewable energy sources,” says Wlodarski. “While the conventional energy providers in Poland are starting to get involved with solar and wind power or bio energy, the majority of these companies are either independently owned, or they belong to large international players such as E.on or Alstom.”
Among the five renewable energy markets, wind power is the fastest growing segment and is located in the North of Poland, where strong winds and wide spaces offer ample opportunities for investors. Solar power is the second most important market, with companies being located mostly in the sunny South. The third player is bioenergy, which holds great potential for growth thanks to Poland’s rich resources in straw, grass, and other agricultural feedstock. Numerous agricultural businesses in Poland have already expressed interest in starting their own biogas production facilities and have reached out to foreign facility developers. Among German companies who have received inquiries from Poland are Schmack Biogas, MT Energie and Biogas Nord, among others.
Introducing biogas or wind energy companies into a traditional coal country may not be the easiest task, neither for local nor for international businesses. But as Wodarski puts it: ” In general, Poland is a good environment to introduce this kind of company. Our Deputy Prime Minister (and Minister of Economy), Waldemar Pawlak, is a huge fan of renewable energies and seeks to support projecs in this market.”
Foto: South West of Poland (near the German and Czech border)
Tags: poland, Polen, renewable energies, Renewable energy
