17 Exploitation of Rivers in Poland for Electricity …
351
Table 17.3 Variant 2 large cascades [53]
L.p. Location
Km of Vistula River NPP (normal level of
damming up) in m amsl
Head (m)
1
Siarzewo (environmental
permission issued)
706.38
46.00
8.5
2
Solec Kujawski
758.70
37.50
8.5
3
Chełmno
801.55
29.00
7.0
4
Grudzi˛ adz
825.00
22.00
7.0
5
Gniew
876.03
15.00
7.2
the location of hydroelectric power plants is related to the location in river valleys,
which are mostly covered by the Natura 2000 program, in many cases, the lack of the
possibility to obtain an environmental decision was the main barrier to development.
The decline in interest in the construction of hydroelectric plants was also due to the
lack of financing and the drop in the prices of energy sold. Also, power utilities are
not obliged to purchase electricity produced in renewable energy sources. As a result,
not all mini hydropower plants can sign a contract with an energy company for the
purchase of energy, which is explained by a small amount of energy produced and a
high cost of connection to the power grid. The stagnation in the construction of small
hydropower plants also results from changes in the law on renewable energy sources,
which was introduced in 2015 and concerned the issue of prices of concentrated
electricity from their generators. The new law of June 7, 2018, amending the act
on renewable energy sources and some other acts [54] gives a chance to change the
current situation on the market for the construction of new facilities and functioning
of existing small plants.
The main factors stopping the development of hydropower in Poland include longterm administrative procedures, mainly related to obtaining water and construction
permits, construction costs of the power plant, including lack of financial support
from the state and lack of legal regulations [55, 56]. Similar problems have been
noticed in other countries, e.g. USA [30], Great Britain [57].
17.10 Conclusions
The energy potential of the Polish rivers is used to a small extent. In the last 20 years,
the share of hydropower plants (over 10 MW) has not been implemented in recent
years due to the lack of favorable locations, significant population, environmental
objections, as well as investment costs.
Bearing in mind Poland’s obligations within the structures of the European Union,
it seems reasonable to actively participate in the state supporting the construction
of such facilities. The EU climate policy assumes obtaining a 20% share of energy
from renewable sources in final energy consumption by 2020 and at least 27% by
351
Table 17.3 Variant 2 large cascades [53]
L.p. Location
Km of Vistula River NPP (normal level of
damming up) in m amsl
Head (m)
1
Siarzewo (environmental
permission issued)
706.38
46.00
8.5
2
Solec Kujawski
758.70
37.50
8.5
3
Chełmno
801.55
29.00
7.0
4
Grudzi˛ adz
825.00
22.00
7.0
5
Gniew
876.03
15.00
7.2
the location of hydroelectric power plants is related to the location in river valleys,
which are mostly covered by the Natura 2000 program, in many cases, the lack of the
possibility to obtain an environmental decision was the main barrier to development.
The decline in interest in the construction of hydroelectric plants was also due to the
lack of financing and the drop in the prices of energy sold. Also, power utilities are
not obliged to purchase electricity produced in renewable energy sources. As a result,
not all mini hydropower plants can sign a contract with an energy company for the
purchase of energy, which is explained by a small amount of energy produced and a
high cost of connection to the power grid. The stagnation in the construction of small
hydropower plants also results from changes in the law on renewable energy sources,
which was introduced in 2015 and concerned the issue of prices of concentrated
electricity from their generators. The new law of June 7, 2018, amending the act
on renewable energy sources and some other acts [54] gives a chance to change the
current situation on the market for the construction of new facilities and functioning
of existing small plants.
The main factors stopping the development of hydropower in Poland include longterm administrative procedures, mainly related to obtaining water and construction
permits, construction costs of the power plant, including lack of financial support
from the state and lack of legal regulations [55, 56]. Similar problems have been
noticed in other countries, e.g. USA [30], Great Britain [57].
17.10 Conclusions
The energy potential of the Polish rivers is used to a small extent. In the last 20 years,
the share of hydropower plants (over 10 MW) has not been implemented in recent
years due to the lack of favorable locations, significant population, environmental
objections, as well as investment costs.
Bearing in mind Poland’s obligations within the structures of the European Union,
it seems reasonable to actively participate in the state supporting the construction
of such facilities. The EU climate policy assumes obtaining a 20% share of energy
from renewable sources in final energy consumption by 2020 and at least 27% by