National Contact Point for Renewable Energy Sources

The investment process for large-scale biomass systems is almost identical to that for small systems, with the exception that it ends with obtaining a licence for electricity generation.

Obtaining a decision on environmental conditions (environmental decision) in most cases constitutes the first stage in the investment and construction process of a RES system using biomass.

In the Polish legal environment, the most important role is played by: Local Spatial Development Plans (MPZP), and in areas not covered by these plans, during the transitional period after the entry into force of the spatial planning reform (Act of 7 July 2023 amending the Act on Spatial Planning and Development and certain other acts (Journal of Laws 2023, item 1688)) – Decisions on Land Development Conditions. An additional solution introduced by the reform is the Integrated Investment Plan (ZPI).

Due to the fact that the operation of a biomass system may cause emissions that negatively affect the environment, in some cases, before applying for a construction permit, it may be necessary to obtain an environmental permit.

Obtaining an environmental permit is independent of obtaining an environmental decision.

The type of environmental permit depends on the environmental impact associated with the operation of the biomass system.

The main energy product generated by biomass systems is heat, often produced in combination with electricity generation. The process of combined heat and power generation is called cogeneration.

Ensuring connection to the heating grid is a stage of the investment and construction process that directly precedes obtaining a construction permit for a biomass system. Connection to the grid enables the delivery of heat produced in the biomass system to its consumers and thus its sale.

It should also be noted that the necessity to obtain conditions for connection to the heating grid depends on the type of energy produced in a given system.

Biomass systems, in addition to producing heat, can also generate electricity in the cogeneration process. The technical condition enabling the receipt of electricity from a biomass system is its prior connection to the electricity grid.

The necessity to obtain conditions for connection to the electricity grid depends on the type of energy produced in a given system.

A construction permit is an element of the investment process that constitutes the basis for commencing construction works on a biomass system. Without this decision, it is not possible to start construction works or proceed to its intended operation.

An operational notification will be required for biomass systems that, under construction law, are classified as buildings. In such cases, they are categorized under category XVIII of the annex to the Construction Law, and their use must be preceded by submitting an operational notification.

Another situation where an operational notification is necessary is when the investor intends to commence the use of part of the system before completing all construction works. A further exception requiring an operational notification is the legalization of unauthorized construction.

Obtaining a licence for heat generation is required for a large-scale biomass system producing exclusively heat with a total capacity above 5 MW.

Obtaining a licence for electricity generation from RES is required for a large-scale biomass system with a total installed electrical capacity greater than 1 MW or with an achievable thermal capacity in cogeneration greater than 3 MW, where the total installed electrical capacity exceeds 1 MW.