Poland's wind power growth faces grid and regulatory hurdles

The 13th edition of the "Wind Energy in Poland 2026" report shows that installed on‑shore wind capacity has passed 11 GW, while the first 1.2 GW offshore farm is expected to feed the grid in 2026. The sector sees strong potential but is constrained by a range of administrative and technical barriers.

Key obstacles include the electricity grid’s limited ability to absorb new capacity – 4,897 connection refusals were recorded in 2025 and over 107 GW of approved power remains unconnected. Location limits, a 700‑metre distance rule, fragmented spatial planning, military air‑space zones that block about 55 % of the country, and complex environmental and permitting procedures further slow development. A 2026 amendment to the network law aims to streamline connections, but industry leaders deem it insufficient.

The Polish Wind Energy Association urges the government to act swiftly, arguing that wind power strengthens energy independence, lowers electricity costs and supports domestic supply chains. Financial analysis of 115 wind‑energy firms shows average revenue of about 1.07 million PLN per MW in 2024, a 3.3 % year‑on‑year decline, and unit production costs of 240‑320 zł/MWh for on‑shore farms.