Warsaw revives wind power

Poland’s government has adopted measures designed to speed up the modernisation of existing onshore wind farms, despite an earlier presidential veto that blocked broader liberalisation of wind-energy regulations. The new rules simplify procedures for so-called repowering projects, allowing older turbines to be replaced or upgraded without requiring a full environmental decision in certain cases. Officials estimate that roughly 1 GW of installed capacity could qualify for accelerated development.

The move is important because Poland still relies heavily on coal while simultaneously facing pressure from EU climate targets and rising electricity demand. Modernising older wind assets is viewed as one of the fastest ways to increase renewable generation without opening entirely new sites. The decision also sends a positive signal to foreign infrastructure investors active in Central Europe’s energy transition.