Wind Energy Market in Poland in the Background of the Baltic Sea Bordering Countries in the Era of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic reinforces the problem of rising electricity prices, which mainly affects countries that are forced to pay ever-higher CO2 emission allowance fees (e.g., Poland). In the light of signals confirming the need for intensive development of the wind energy market in the Baltic Sea region, the authors consider the need to examine this issue concerning Poland and the Baltic States (i.e., Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) as extremely important and demanding. The development of the RES market is currently an absolute necessity. The immediate neighbourhood and similar general social and economic conditions of Poland and the Baltic States enable factual comparisons, reinforcing the rationale for choosing the adopted research area. The main objective of the study was to assess the development of the wind energy market in Poland in the background of the Baltic Sea bordering countries in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to try to answer the question: what direction of wind energy development in Poland in the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic is justified and may have an impact on limiting the increase in electricity prices in this country? In this context, it turned out to be particularly interesting to identify solutions practised in the wind energy market in the Baltic States with their potential to be applied in Poland. The research instruments were drawn from an economic analysis and evaluation of phenomena and supported by the results of our own research (questionnaire) conducted on the Polish energy market, to substantiate the findings.

Automated summary

The economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the problem of rising electricity prices, particularly affecting countries that are obliged to pay higher CO2 emission allowance fees like Poland. In light of the urgent development of the wind energy market in the Baltic Sea region, the authors emphasize the importance of examining this issue in Poland and the Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia). The study aims to assess the development of the wind energy market in Poland in relation to the Baltic Sea countries during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify potential directions for wind energy development that could help mitigate electricity price increases.