Polish government proposes wind‑farm revenue fund for nearby residents

The Polish Ministry of Environment has drafted legislation requiring wind‑farm investors to establish a fund that will pay annual contributions to owners of homes and apartments located within one kilometre of a turbine. Operators will contribute 20,000 złoty (about €4,600) per megawatt of installed capacity each year, with the amount indexed to inflation. Payments will continue for the entire operating life of the wind farm and any unspent money will be transferred to the municipalities where the farms are situated. The scheme replaces an earlier model that demanded a high upfront payment from residents to obtain a share of the electricity produced, a condition the ministry says discouraged local support. The government plans to discuss the proposal in the third quarter of 2026.