Seeking renewable energy, Poland looks to sea wind

[December 01, 2012]  SOPOT, Poland (AP) -- Seeking renewable energy to meet EU recommendations and cut dependence on Russian energy imports, Poland is looking to offshore wind farms as part of the answer.

The government has granted 14 licenses for development of wind farms on the Baltic Sea and will review more than two dozen more this year, Transport Minister Slawomir Nowak said Friday at an energy conference in the Baltic resort of Sopot.

Nowak said northern Poland could be the nation's energy hub and exporter as wind, nuclear, liquid and shale gas projects are being pursued in the region.

Poland is overly reliant on Russia for its energy, importing nearly 70 percent of its gas and 90 percent of its crude oil from its historic foe that has used energy as a political tool. The two countries share a difficult history, including decades of control by Moscow over Poland during the Cold War.

Now, the Polish government is trying to decrease Russia's control over its energy market, and at the same time meet European Union recommendations to increase renewable energy sources by 2030. Poland is also phasing out coal production to meet goals to reduce carbon emissions.

Nowak said legislation is being amended to allow floating wind farms to be installed on the Baltic Sea, where wind conditions are "very good." There is no date for opening the first farm, because experts need to test their possible effects on the environment. They also must convince residents and fishermen that artificial islands on the Baltic will offer new workplaces and won't ruin the region's fishing industry or its value for vacationers.

So far, five of the license holders have paid their fees to the state budget, totaling 90 million zlotys ($29 million.)

The need to save energy -- on the grid level and at home -- was also discussed during the two-day Energy Forum of government officials and experts from Europe, the United States and China, that closed on Friday.

[Associated Press]

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