National Contact Point for Renewable Energy Sources

Key information:

• On 26 May 2026, the Council of Ministers adopted a regulation amending the rules on projects that may significantly impact the environment (RD 239).
• Thanks to the new regulation, modernisation of existing wind farms that increases their capacity by up to 30% may be carried out without obtaining an environmental decision (subject to specific conditions).
• Simplifications apply to installations located outside protected natural areas and that do not increase the number of turbines or significantly change their location.
• All existing safety requirements remain in force, including a minimum distance of 700 metres from residential buildings.
• The new rules will shorten the investment process by at least six months and increase energy production from already developed areas.
• The changes support the achievement of both national and EU climate targets and the development of renewable energy.

The government has adopted regulations introducing repowering into Polish law, establishing a fast and safe pathway for the modernisation of existing onshore wind farms. This creates an opportunity to increase the share of affordable and clean energy in Poland’s power system.

This pathway will be available to owners of existing installations that comply with current spatial planning requirements. Over the years, wind turbine technology has advanced significantly. Modern turbines operate more efficiently, generate more energy even at the same capacity, and produce less noise.

Thanks to these solutions, the productivity of installations after repowering can increase by more than double—by around 130%—although not exceeding a total capacity of 100 MW. This approach reflects the government’s priorities. This is how we deliver on the government’s priorities.

- said Minister of Climate and Environment Paulina Hennig-Kloska following the Council of Ministers meeting.

The regulation introduces significant simplifications for investors planning to modernise existing wind farms. The adopted solutions respond to the growing need to increase the efficiency of already operating installations while streamlining administrative procedures.

This will make it easier to adapt existing infrastructure to current technological and market requirements, particularly in cases where no significant additional environmental impact occurs.

The new regulations allow modernisation to proceed without the need for an environmental decision, provided specific criteria are met. This applies to installations located outside protected areas.

Investors can benefit from this simplified approach if their projects:

• increase the installation’s capacity by no more than 30%,
• do not increase the number of turbines (a reduction is allowed),
• do not change the location of installations by more than 150 metres from the existing tower,
• do not exceed a total capacity of 100 MW,
• maintain a minimum distance of 250 metres from forest boundaries.

The 30% limit refers to the total nominal capacity specified in the currently valid environmental decision.

Within these conditions, it will also be possible to adjust technical parameters such as turbine height, rotor diameter, and equipment layout.

The new provisions do not alter the requirements set out in the Wind Farm Investment Act. The minimum distance of 700 metres from residential buildings still applies and will continue to be verified at the building permit stage.

The amendment also introduces technical adjustments to ensure consistency in terminology with current legal regulations concerning projects that may always have a significant environmental impact.

The new solutions will:

• shorten administrative procedures,
• improve the use of already developed land,
• increase the potential for wind energy development in Poland.

As a result, they contribute to achieving the objectives of the national energy policy as well as Poland’s climate commitments at both national and EU levels.

The regulation will enter into force 14 days after its publication in the Journal of Laws.