Wielkopolska Region, Poland - Becoming a Sustainable Region

This leaflet provides an update of the journey of the Wielkopolska Region in Poland towards becoming a European Sustainable Energy Region.

Summary

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Wielkopolska, in comparison with other regions, can boast of very well-developed infrastructure.

The Region is especially well provided with power, a developed railway network and perfectly organised air transport. Also, a model of electric energy, natural gas and oil supply is crucial. Good infrastructure is the basis of all investments. There are many of them in Wielkopolska, which means that the infrastructure meets the needs of entrepreneurs. However, both the region’s authorities, as well as its inhabitants, still see the need for further development of the infrastructure base.

Wielkopolska is mostly industrial area with areas of some good prospering farms. Almost 58 % of region populations live in cities and towns, and around 42 % in the country. However, only 26 % of population works in agriculture sector. In the industrial sector the biggest branch is manufacturing (92 % of industrial employment), followed by electricity, gas & water supply (5 %) and mining & quarrying constitutes just 3 %.

Forest area is about 800 thousands ha, i.e. 25,8 % of total area of the region.

There are about 800 lakes within the lake districts in north and central part of the region. The biggest lake in Wielkopolska Region is Powidz Lake (1036 ha of area).

The Wielkopolska Region is located in the lowland river basin of three rivers: the Warta, Notec and Prosna.

Becoming a Sustainable Region

Main goal: Reduction in energy consumption (increase rate) and CO₂ emission in particular sectors of the regional economy.

The regional aims result from the ‘Strategy for the increase in energy efficiency and development of renewable energy sources in the Wielkopolska Region for the period 2011 – 2020’ elaborated by the regional energy agency – Wielkopolska Energy Management Agency Ltd. They are the following:

Increase in competitiveness of EE and RES sector in the Wielkopolska Region.
Increase in energy security in the Wielkopolska Region.

Energy in the Wielkopolska Region, Poland

Wielkopolska is quite well provided for when it comes to electric energy. The national grid in the region consists of 400, 220 and 110 kV lines and a well-developed system of transformer stations. The main energy provider for Wielkopolska is Zespol Elektrowni Patnow I i II – Adamow – Konin S.A., which supplies the market with around 14% of all electric energy generated in the country. It is also the second largest producer of brown coal energy. Other important providers include Dalkia Poznan ZEC (formerly Zespol Elektrocieplowni Poznanskich S.A.) – heat and power plants Garbary in Poznan and Kalisz-Piwonice, as well as Energetyka Poznanska Zaklad Elektrowni Wodnych Sp. z o.o., which has five hydroelectric power stations on the Gwda River. In accordance with European Union guidelines on the use of renewable energy sources, the authorities of Wielkopolska strive to increase the share of wind energy as well as biomass in the overall energy output in the region. They also put efforts into developing geothermal power. Current research shows that there are geothermal waters of 300 to 800ºC at a depth of 800 plus metres in areas of older geological formations.

Moreover, Dalkia has begun the construction of biomass boilers thanks to which since the year 2012 it will achieve the 18% of RES production in Poland. The installed power is 67 green MW of electricity. The conversion of two biomass boilers for burning 100% of biomass has started in Poznan and Lodz. It is assumed that around 600 000 tones of biomass will be burned by the end of the year 2011. The forest biomass will constitute 80% of the batch. This project will allow to eliminate the emission of 460 000 tones of CO₂ yearly. Presently the whole required fuel for theses two biomass boilers is already contracted. Most of the fuel will be delivered by the external suppliers but partially it will be harvested from energy crops on the 2000 ha of the Dalkia plantation. Dalkia Polska is presently one of the main entities using RES. Since two years the thermal-electric power station in Poznan co-burns biomass and coal. The biomass share is 10% and this process generates 3% of green energy.

Sustainable Energy Action in Wielkopolska, Poland

Regional SEAP is currently under development. It is expected to be available in the beginning of the year 2012. The SEAP for the Wielkopolska Region takes into account the national goals and national energy policy. However, the investment actions may be performed only on the local level and this depends on the interested companies and local authorities. Thus, the regional SEAP is like the signpost for future activities and for the new perspective of the structural funds in the Region.

The applied intervention for triggering SEP measures / investments to happen is dissemination of information
(via e-mails, e.g. on new financing possibilities within the structural funds programme regarding construction of biogas plant: the general information with links and short leaflets sent to all communes in the Wielkopolska Region) and bridging the gap between the science, local authorities and industry especially in the inter-regional partnership (organization of conferences and meetings).

Twinning and Replication

ENNEREG twinning and replication activities are planned in partner regions of the Wielkopolska Region.

Related Information on the Regions 202020 Website:

Region(s)/Community(ies): PL: Wielkopolska
Country(ies): Poland

Last updated: 16/11/2011 1:26pm - Contact: Alicja NOWAK - Email