National Contact Point for Renewable Energy Sources

No, the task of NCP RES is to provide information on the necessary administrative procedures for a given project and to indicate, among others:

• basic information that the applicant should know and the conditions that must be met before initiating the procedure,
• the method of handling the matter (by post or electronically),
• the time limit for handling the matter,
• the authority competent to handle the matter (with the possibility of searching for the entire individualized procedure path),
• a chronological description of the actions that the applicant must perform,
• actions performed by the authority issuing the decision,
• the cost of the procedure,
• the duration of the procedure,
• the possibility of appealing against the decision.

Information on investment processes for selected RES technologies can be obtained through:

• descriptions of RES investment processes;
• the contact form enabling you to reach us regarding the entire investment process or individual procedures;
• the handbook of investment procedures containing detailed information on RES investment processes.

According to the definition of an energy cooperative, its activity must involve the generation of electricity or biogas, or agricultural biogas, or biomethane, or heat in renewable energy source systems, as well as their trading or storage, carried out exclusively for the benefit of the cooperative and its members.

The conditions to be met by an energy cooperative are also set out in Article 38e of the RES Act, according to which an energy cooperative must jointly meet the following requirements:

1. it operates within the area of a rural or urban-rural municipality, as defined by public statistics regulations, within no more than three such municipalities directly adjacent to each other;
2. its membership is fewer than 1,000 persons;
3. where its activity involves generation of:

• electricity, the total installed electrical capacity of all renewable energy source systems does not exceed 10 MW, and their efficiency enables covering at least 70% of the annual own needs of the energy cooperative and its members;
• heat, the total achievable thermal capacity does not exceed 30 MW;
• biogas or agricultural biogas, the annual output of all systems does not exceed 40 million m³.

Another requirement relates to membership in the energy cooperative. According to Article 38c(1a) of the RES Act, a member of an energy cooperative is an entity:

1. whose system is connected to the electricity distribution network, gas distribution network, or district heating network;
2. to which biogas, agricultural biogas, or biomethane produced from renewable sources by the energy cooperative or its members is supplied in a manner other than through the gas distribution network.

European Funds for Infrastructure, Climate, Environment 2021–2027

- Measure 2.2 Development of RES – €0.538 billion (almost PLN 2.32 billion)*

- Measure 2.3 Development of smart energy systems and networks and energy storage systems outside the Trans-European Energy Network (TEN-E) – €1.822 billion:

More information on the European Funds for Infrastructure, Climate, Environment 2021–2027 is available at www.feniks.gov.pl

The total budget of the program for 2022–2030 amounts to PLN 3 billion. Under the completed call, both farmers and energy cooperatives—whether newly established or already existing—as well as their members could apply for funding. The support covered investments such as: agricultural biogas plants, hydroelectric power plants, photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, and energy storage systems integrated with these sources. Due to increased allocation, further calls are planned in 2025.

More information on the “Energy for the Countryside” program is available on the website of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management: www.gov.pl/web/nfosigw/nabor-wnioskow-2025-w-programie-energia-dla-wsi

The total budget of the program for 2022–2030 amounts to PLN 3 billion. Under the completed call, both farmers and energy cooperatives—whether newly established or already existing—as well as their members could apply for funding. The support covered investments such as: agricultural biogas plants, hydroelectric power plants, photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, and energy storage systems integrated with these sources. Due to increased allocation, further calls are planned in 2025.

More information on the “Development of Cogeneration Based on Municipal Biogas” program is available on the website of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management: www.gov.pl/web/nfosigw/rozwoj-kogeneracji-w-oparciu-o-biogaz-komunalny

A program titled “Improving Energy Security Through the Use of Biomethane” is also being prepared. The planned allocation for this program amounts to PLN 1 billion. Its objective will be to support entrepreneurs in the production of biogas and agricultural biogas, including a module for upgrading biogas to biomethane.

Types of Operational Support

Biogas plants may also obtain operational support under:

1. Feed-in Tariff (FIT) system – where producers can sell electricity generated from biogas at a fixed purchase price;

2. Feed-in Premium (FIP) system – where producers can receive a premium added to the price of electricity generated from biogas;

3. Auction system – which enables producers to participate in auctions for the sale of electricity, where the lowest price wins the right to cover the negative balance.

The Renewable Energy Sources Act provides a range of support mechanisms for electricity or heat generated from biomass, such as feed-in tariff (FIT) systems, i.e., guaranteed tariff, and feed-in premium (FIP) systems, i.e., a premium added to the market price for systems with a capacity above 500 kW, RES auctions, and the system of certificates of origin.

Biomass systems are also eligible for investment support (included in the main financing streams for RES investments), e.g., from the Modernisation Fund, NFOŚiGW, KPO, FEnIKS and RPO, as well as from Norwegian and EEA funds – the Environment, Energy and Climate Change Program.

Currently, several financial support programs are available for investments related, among others, to the installation of heat pumps, energy storage systems, and thermal modernization of buildings. The most important of these include:

• “My Electricity” Program – supports investments in photovoltaics and energy storage systems, which allow better utilization of renewable energy systems. Information about the program is available at: www.mojprad.gov.pl
• “Clean Air” Program – offers funding for replacing old heat sources with modern, low-emission heat pumps and for carrying out comprehensive thermal modernization of buildings, which helps reduce energy consumption. Detailed information about the program is available at: www.czystepowietrze.gov.pl
• Thermal Modernization Tax Relief – allows deduction from tax of costs incurred to improve the energy efficiency of a building. More information about the relief is available at: www.podatki.gov.pl/pit/ulgi-odliczenia-i-zwolnienia/ulga-termomodernizacyjna/#kiedy-przysluguje-ulga

To learn more about available support programs, funding conditions, and required documents, it is advisable to use the assistance of energy advisors, who provide free information on available opportunities. Details can be found at: www.doradztwo-energetyczne.gov.pl

Information on current support programs is also available on the website of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management: www.gov.pl/web/nfosigw

An energy storage system allows storing surplus energy produced by a micro-system during hours when it is inexpensive or less needed by the prosumer, thus avoiding feeding it into the power grid. The prosumer can use this energy when the demand in their household is highest, thereby avoiding the need to purchase it from the supplier.

Remember that the hourly system is more flexible and requires greater awareness in managing your own energy production.

If you started generating energy before 1 July 2024, you may remain on the settlement system based on the average monthly electricity price (RCEm). This means that your settlements will be based on a fixed average price applicable in a given month, which ensures greater financial predictability and stability of energy purchase costs. You do not need to take any action. The change in the settlement method will occur automatically.

Importantly, you may voluntarily decide to switch back to the settlement system based on the market price of energy (RCE) by submitting a declaration to your electricity supplier. In such a case, if the unused surplus of electricity recorded in the prosumer deposit is not used within 12 consecutive months, instead of the current 20%, you will receive up to 30% reimbursement of this surplus.

Please note that changing the settlement method from RCEm to RCE is entirely voluntary. To submit a declaration regarding the change of the settlement method, contact your electricity supplier.