Wind energy in Poland - History, current state, surveys, Renewable Energy Sources Act, SWOT analysis

The history, current state and prospects for the development of the wind power sector in Poland have been presented. Poland has a long tradition of using wooden windmills, mainly post mills for economic purposes. Basing on the data of the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management, the speed of wind was calculated in Poland at a height of 100 m. The highest wind speed in Poland is noted in the northern part, the central part and, most of all, in the south-western part. In the December 2015 there were 1016 wind installations in Poland of total power of 5100 MW in Poland. There are also 37 wind farms. At the largest farm - Margonin - there are 60 wind turbines in operation, each of power of 2 MW. The new formal and legal framework for the wind power sector in Poland was described in relation to the new Renewable Energy Sources Act (RES Act). The new regulations on funding the wind power sector; that is, an auction system, were presented. The outcomes of the sociometric surveys conducted among investors were described. The SWOT analysis of the wind power sector in Poland was presented. The three scenarios of the development of the wind power sector in Poland were described. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.