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Role-Differentiated Prioritization of Renewable-Energy Investments in Poland: Sector Targets, Technology Functions, and Municipal Effects

Iftikhar Ahmad1
1University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Burewala Campus, 61010, Pakistan

Abstract

The transformation of Poland to the renewable energy economy requires the logic of technology-specific investment due to the differential pace of transformation in the sectors of electricity, heating, cooling, transport, and urban development. This paper offers a role-differentiated analysis of the paths of investment in renewable energy in Poland based on the sector policy goals, conditions of deployment of technologies, functions of system support and socio-economic effects at the municipal level. There are six paths analyzed: photovoltaic energy, wind power, biomass, biogas or biomethane, geothermal energy, and hydropower. The analysis relies on four dimensions: target relevance and scale, momentum of deployment and deployment feasibility, system integration value and socio-economic spillover at the municipal level. The results indicate that wind power and photovoltaic energy represent the first tier of expansion in view of the direct relation to 2030 transition targets in the electricity sector and the highest relevance of deployment at the national scale. Biomass and biogas/biomethane represent the second tier in terms of the value of the technology in decarbonization of the heat generation, flexible renewable production and valorization of resources. Geothermal energy and hydropower represent the selective relevance at the local level, where geological, hydrological and environmental conditions justify investments. Case study of Margonin wind farm proves that renewable energy projects may influence municipal revenues, landowner incomes, quality of the infrastructure, tourism, and business development.

Keywords: renewable energy; Poland; investment prioritization; wind power; photovoltaic energy; biomass; biogas; geothermal energy; hydropower; local development
Citation
Iftikhar Ahmad. Role-Differentiated Prioritization of Renewable-Energy Investments in Poland: Sector Targets, Technology Functions, and Municipal Effects[J], TK Techforum Journal (ThyssenKrupp Techforum), Volume 2024 (3). 69-77.

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