19 May 2016
WindEurope CEO spells out costs of proposed new renewables laws to Polish Minister and officials
Poland turning its back on onshore wind would be counter-productive for the country’s economy, WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson told the European Economic Congress in Katowice on 19 May.
Today, the cost of onshore wind in Poland is competitive with new coal, particularly when CO2 costs are factored in. Dickson stressed that costs of wind energy will continue to fall unlike coal, where there is little room for further cost reduction. However, it is the regulatory environment that is causing the most concern in Poland. Earlier this year, parliamentarians from the governing party proposed a new law that would restrict the siting and permitting of new onshore wind farms.
Dickson added: “Confusion and uncertainty over renewables regulation in Poland is making it far more expensive to invest in any form of renewable energy. The cost of capital is largest chunk of any new renewables investment. In Poland capital costs are around 10% compared with 6% in France and 4% in Germany.”
On reliability, Dickson said the variability of wind is predictable with 80% accuracy day ahead and 95% accuracy 2 hours ahead. He noted that wind farms are increasingly being developed with built-in storage capability for balancing power, and that wind can offer frequency and voltage control.
