Representatives of the Polish wind offshore industry aren’t happy with the recently adopted amendment which regulates the certification of offshore wind farm projects in Polish maritime areas.
Oliwia Mroz from Polish Wind Energy Association told EU Reporter that the new amendment introduces an excessive burden on investors with its new certification system.
“According to the content of this regulation, not only the offshore part of the investment (foundation, turbine, offshore power cables) is to be subject to certification, but also the onshore part of the power evacuation infrastructure, including the section of the onshore cable and the substation located onshore. Nowhere in the world do such regulations apply, neither in emerging nor in experienced markets”, she went on to say.
The office of the Polish president sees things differently. In a press release issued last Thursday the certification system offers “appropriate mechanisms for supervision over the design, construction and operation” of wind farms and equipment.
The three types of certificates representing the bone of contention between industry and decision-makers fulfil the following roles: a design compliance certificate confirming the compliance of the construction project with technical standards to be met by a wind farm; a certificate confirming the compliance of the construction process with the construction project; and a certificate of operational safety, confirming the completeness and correctness of documentation in the field of proper maintenance and servicing of an offshore wind farm or set of devices.
The first one is to be issued for an indefinite period, the second – for a period not longer than 5 years, and the third – for a period not longer than 5 years and will require renewal not later than 3 months before the expiry of the operational safety certificate.
The Polish Wind Energy Association an association which includes companies active on the wind energy market in Poland told EU Reporter that the certificates represent an excessive burden for the investor, as well as major organizational complications. This can translate into both the cost and timing of investments and the achievement of our country’s energy policy goals, PWEA told EU Reporter.
Poland changes the Maritime Safety Act
The amendment to the Maritime Safety Act signed by the Polish president last week will provide a new system used to ship power from an offshore wind farm to land in the Polish exclusive economic zone of the Baltic Sea.
This will modify regulations concerning the sea areas of Poland and the system of maritime administration.
To be more exact, a requirement has been introduced meaning that a new permit for the construction or use of artificial islands, structures and devices in Polish Baltic areas is now required. Also, the permit for devices used for power transport to the mainland may be issued only after the applicant fulfils preliminary conditions. The act is to enter into force 14 days from the date of its announcement.
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