There will be no expropriation for wind farms, and no scandal is on the horizon, stated the PSL President Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. He was addressing criticism from PiS politicians who cite a so‑called windmill scandal tied to a draft amendment aimed at supporting energy consumers. While a scandal may be unlikely, the PSL chief hinted that changes would be announced to defuse the tension.
Parliamentary amendment and the windmill debate
A coalition of MPs from Polska 2050-TD and KO submitted to the Sejm a draft amending the Law on Support for Energy Consumers. The proposal includes restoring an exchange obligation and liberalizing the siting rules for wind farms on land, arguing that development was hampered by the so‑called 10H rule, which had only recently been revised in March 2023.
The draft also envisions freezing electricity, gas, and heat prices for households and protected groups until the end of June 2024. It maintains proportional power usage limits and protection for vulnerable customers.
PiS lawmakers have criticized the bill, calling its provisions disastrous and harmful to Poland. They argue the windmill debate reveals whose interests the governing coalition truly represents and warn that the plan could lead to expropriation of land for wind farms.
The PSL stance: there is no scandal
During an appearance on Polsat News, Kosiniak-Kamysz was asked whether Poland might be facing the first scandal of the new administration, dubbed the windmill scandal.
There is no scandal, he answered. He also spoke about the need to freeze energy prices in the coming year and signaled that changes would be made to the law regarding the siting and operation of wind farms. In response to a journalist’s question about reducing the setback between wind turbines and houses from about 700 meters to 300–400 meters, he stated that the minimum would not be less than 500 meters.
Kosiniak-Kamysz reminded listeners that his group had previously proposed amendments in the last parliamentary term. Those amendments aimed to promote renewable energy production, including offshore and onshore wind, solar photovoltaics, and biogas plants, while establishing soundness standards for noise. He underscored that this approach represents a shift from the PiS government, which he described as unreceptive to feedback.
Beata Szydło and the wind farm expropriation debate
Beata Szydło, a former prime minister, responded on social media to Kosiniak-Kamysz’s remarks. A PiS member of the European Parliament criticized Kosiniak-Kamysz for not fully understanding the issue and accused him of deflecting accountability toward others. The post questioned how countryside realities would be addressed by coalition agendas in Warsaw.
What the draft proposes
The KO and Poland 2050‑TD authors justify the bill by proposing that wind farm siting should reflect the acoustic footprint of modern, low‑noise turbines. Quieter machines could be placed closer to homes, while louder designs would require greater separation to minimize disturbance. The justification also sets a new minimum distance of 300 meters from protected acoustic zones for new wind farms, even for turbines rated below 100 dBA due to their size.
According to the justification, financing for eligible customer support would come from the COVID‑19 Fund, funded by the gas contribution to the Price Difference Payment Fund for 2022 and other resources as outlined by relevant regulations. Some outlets report that the entire operation might be financed by Orlen, reflecting a broader political narrative about funding responsibilities.
The wind debate’s high profile appears to reflect external pressure from the media and PiS politicians, shaping public discourse around the legislation.
Other political voices criticized the regulatory content and suggested that the wind farm law needed substantial revisions. They referenced ongoing questions about who authored the provisions and which entities might benefit financially from the changes, highlighting the intensifying political contention around renewable energy policy.
The discussion also touched on the broader goal of facilitating renewable energy deployment, including wind, solar, and biogas, while ensuring appropriate environmental and health safeguards. The dialogue emphasized the need for practical changes and ongoing consultation to ensure the law serves rural communities and energy consumers alike.
In sum, the proposed amendments seek to balance renewable growth with clearer environmental standards, while addressing price protections and the practical realities of wind farm development.