Energy willow
Energy willow
Mr. Maciej Specylak, Specmot Kłodzko
Mr. Maciej Specylak, Specmot Kłodzko
Guaranteed demand – This is
the consequence of the obligation to increase the share of energy from
biomass in the total energy balance.
- The progressing devastation
and degradation of the environment, concerns about the depletion of
mineral fuels cause the interest in alternative sources of energy. The
cultivation of energetic plants, which are a raw material for the
production of fuels with a zero carbon dioxide balance, is becoming
more and more popular in Europe.
- The new European Union regulations
concerning the climate and power policy impose an obligation on the
member states to limit the emission of greenhouse gasses and, at the
same time, to increase the share of renewable energy in the total
energy balance. In accordance with the commitments taken on, in Poland
the share of this energy in the original consumption is to amount to
7.5% in 2010 and 15% in 2020. Taking into account that this index is
now approx. 4.5%, it is a serious challenge. It needs to be kept in
mind that if the level specified in these commitments fails to be reached,
Poland will have to purchase the so-called green certificates from the
countries showing a surplus of renewable energy production. It
would be a paradoxical situation inasmuch as our country has a really
big potential in energetic agriculture due to the fact that, on the
one hand, we have a relatively low demand for energy and, on the other
hand, we are the third EU country, after France and Germany, with regard
to the amount of cultivated land resources.
- In this situation, the Polish
government, determined by the need to fulfil the obligations imposed
on our country to increase the share of RES (renewable energy sources)
in the general energy consumption and ensure a permanent increase in
the amount of energy from the energetic
plantations, took a decision to financially support the investments
allowing the achievement of the assumed goals.
- The main sources of financing
are, depending on the nature and size of the project: The Infrastructure
and Environment Operational Programme, 16 regional operational programmes,
and the Sector Rural Areas Development Programme. Regardless of the
foregoing, the commercial banks offer loans on preferential terms for
the establishment of energetic plantations. Also, the National Fund
for Environmental Protection and Water Management offers preferential
loans and the EcoFund foundation offers special grants for entrepreneurs
who are interested in projects like this.
- It appears from the foregoing
that there is no fear of a lack of demand for the production of raw
materials from energetic plants as it is guaranteed. The problem is
almost zero supply, which seems to be the consequence of an unsuccessful
information campaign from several years ago, which promoted, among other
things, growing energy willow, but did not make the potential planters
aware that its production would be profitable, however time was needed
to make a profit. Unprepared for the new cultivation, with no knowledge,
skills, technology and equipment, the farmers expected that they would
make a quick profit on small acreages by producing mainly cuttings as,
in their opinion, the most profitable business. Yet, growing energy willow is
a profitable business for those who have suitably large land resources,
want to invest today and wait for the guaranteed, stable for at least
20 years profits that will occur in the third year after the establishment
of their plantation.

Wierzba energetyczna - plantacje wierzby energetycznej