Poland, which generates some 90 percent of its electricity
from coal plants, is seeking to increase renewable energy to at least 15
percent by 2020 in order to meet EU targets.
The Polish government approved a bill this week on long-term subsidies for
renewable energy projects that aims to help meet European Union climate goals
and lower electricity costs for consumers.
If approved by parliament and the country’s president, the
law would allow developers and owners of new renewable installations to sell
their energy at auctions for a fixed price that would be guaranteed for 15
years regardless of market prices, according to Reuters report.
Renewable power producers that are already in operation
would also be able to keep their current subsidies or choose to join the
auctions.
The Polish government has been hammering out the new
renewables law for nearly two years.
Poland generates some 90 percent of its electricity from
coal and has to increase renewable energy to at least 15 percent of the total
by 2020 to meet EU rules on carbon emissions, according to Reuters.
Renewable power developers have complained that the
country’s murky legal environment has prevented many to make new investments,
thus preventing major development in green energy projects.
The country’s previous subsidy program did not provide
long-term guarantees. Governments across Europe have been cutting subsidies and the European Commission
this week announced new guidelines, which will go into effect in July,
calling for market-based initiatives to replace renewable energy subsidies.
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