American Chamber of Commerce in Poland, Polish-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, BOSCH and SIEMENS join the call to exploit the potential of green energy to foster further business growth and create new jobs in Poland. Global corporations emphasize that without green energy Polish economy is exposed to loss of competitiveness and market attractiveness. The change of the minimum distance from 500 to 700 metres thwarts wind energy potential. “For our companies, investments are a priority in the markets where green electricity is easily accessible,” the call addressed to the Prime Minster and the Parliament reads.

Global corporations operating in Poland called the Prime Minister and the Parliament to exploit the potential of green wind energy and revert to 500 metres minimum distance between wind turbines and development.  The call was signed by global giants — Google, Mercedes, IKEA, Amazon, Siemens, BOSCH as well as American Chamber of Commerce in Poland, Polish-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Polish Steel Association, Cement Ożarów, Polish Cement Association and Polish Chamber of Automotive Industry.

“Without green energy Polish economy is exposed to loss of competitiveness and market attractiveness. The change of the minimum distance from 500 to 700 metres substantially limits onshore wind potential in the coming decade, leading to insufficient volume of green electricity in the grid. Given such a high demand for additional RES gigawatts, both among enterprises and Polish customers, we find all attempts to limit further wind energy development a lost opportunity for Poland to attract new investments, create new jobs and exploit the full potential as a European hub for many global corporations,” the call reads.

“It is crucial for American companies investing in Poland that Polish law accommodates the needs of business. As regards renewable energy sources, regulations should implement solutions fostering energy efficiency, decrease the costs of green transition, support investments and foster new jobs. The minimum distance of 500 metres ensures optimum growth of onshore wind. Interference with provisions approved by way of broad consultations is a message to foreign investors about the lack of regulatory stability of the Polish market,” said Marta Pawlak, Head of Legal and Public Policy, American Chamber of Commerce in Poland.

“Green transition is not a dream,” said Ewa Łabno-Falęcka from Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Poland during a press conference, and added that “this is not a trend, but a lifestyle”. “We are not saving the planet — she’ll take care of herself. We are saving ourselves,”, Ewa Łabno-Falęcka added, stating that soon Mercedes will open a plant in Jaworze (three times the size of the plant already existing there) “which will use only RES electricity”.

However, representatives of large business in Poland see the threats, including those stemming from reckless legislative changes applicable to renewable energy. “Without green energy there is no future for the cement industry.Construction of large installations based on RES electricity will not be possible,” warned Zbigniew Pilch from the Polish Cement Association, who emphasized that Polish cement mills already underwent substantial transition to RES electricity. “Therefore, we call upon the authorities: we will not be competitive in Europe if we will not maintain the applicable law,” Zbigniew Pilch stated.