Poland estimates EUR 144.2 bln as cost of support scheme for 17.9 GW of offshore capacity

"The estimated costs of the support scheme (phase I and phase II combined, i.e. a total of 17.9 GW of installed capacity), would amount to approximately EUR 144.21 billion. Providing support at the maximum possible amount for all offshore wind farm projects would translate into a RES fee and increase the price of electricity by an average of approximately PLN 0.10/kWh," the climate ministry assessed.

"However, it should be borne in mind that the appearance in the National Power System (KSE) of an additional 18 GW of capacity from offshore wind farms will ultimately result in a decrease in wholesale energy prices, which will translate into a decrease in prices borne by end consumers in tariffs," it added.

At the same time, MKiS stressed that the draft regulation does not introduce additional burdens or obligations, but only sets the maximum price in phase II of the support scheme.

"In the context of the activities of enterprises generating electricity from offshore wind farms that will want to join the support scheme, this draft regulation will be of key importance, as they will decide whether to join the auction on the basis of the price specified therein," the ministry pointed out.

"The maximum price indicates the upper limit of the cost of energy production that will be acceptable from the point of view of joining the auction," it noted.

On Monday, the government's legislative centre (RCL) published a draft regulation of the climate ministry with a proposal of two maximum prices for electricity from offshore wind farms: PLN 479.10 PLN (EUR 112.49) per MWh and PLN 512.32 (EUR 120.29) per MWh, depending on the areas where they will be located.

It was indicated that the decision to divide the areas into two groups was based primarily on the distance of the respective areas from the shore.

jz/ ao/ nl/