At the outset, we would like to emphasize that energy infrastructure in forests did not emerge with the pilot project for wind farm construction. Anyone who has walked through a forest has likely encountered tall power line poles and cleared strips of woodland. In Polish forests, over 16,000 hectares are allocated for energy infrastructure. In recent years alone, and in just one forest district (Choczewo Forest District), nearly 120 hectares of forest have been designated for clearance to support offshore wind farm construction, while 350 hectares have been allocated for Poland’s first nuclear power plant. The accompanying infrastructure (roads, railways, and transmission lines) requires an additional 300 hectares. In total, nearly 800 hectares of forest will undergo deforestation (permanent removal of tree stands). Unfortunately, in these cases, there are no protests or opinions from environmentalists and the PROP (State Council for Nature Conservation) in defense of Polish forests.
Each wind turbine in the forest will require up to 0.3 hectares. Thus, a maximum of 6 hectares of forest is needed for the construction of wind farms as part of the pilot project (up to 20 wind turbines in two locations). An essential factor is that after 30 years of operation, the land will be restored to its original purpose—forest management.
Negative opinions from certain environmental groups and the PROP have been issued without reviewing the project’s details. We believe that the generalization of the pilot’s harmfulness is unfounded and one-sided. It is worth noting that some naturalists interested in this issue recognize the potential of the conducted scientific research and are awaiting its results. We have repeatedly emphasized that this is a research project—a pilot initiative that, through scientific studies, will determine the validity or lack thereof in placing wind turbines over forests. This is an innovative and pioneering project, unprecedented in Polish conditions, and on the planned scale of scientific data collection, it ranks among the most advanced in the world. The PGL LP project “Forest of Energy” is an initiative of State Forests aimed both at combating climate change and supporting the country’s energy transition.
It is also worth noting that wind farms located in forests are not unusual; rather, they are becoming an increasingly popular solution in Europe, combining modern technology with environmental care. Such installations operate in many European countries, including Germany, Sweden, Finland, and France, where studies have proven that appropriate planning and advanced environmental research enable renewable energy to coexist harmoniously with forest ecosystems. More and more companies, including Eurowind Energy, are developing such projects while ensuring compliance with environmental standards and minimizing their impact on nature. Thanks to innovative solutions such as wildlife monitoring and advanced technology applications, wind farms can coexist with the natural environment, contributing to CO2 emissions reduction and increasing Europe’s energy security.
State Forests serve as a partner to Eurowind, supporting broad project communication and acquiring expertise in wind energy investments on lands managed by State Forests. Close cooperation with the investor allows for the implementation of optimal solutions that are safe in terms of investment profitability, fire protection, and ecosystem conservation. Such measures include minimizing the land used during construction and operation, utilizing existing forest roads, applying innovative turbine transport methods, and equipping turbines with the latest collision prevention technologies for birds and bats (detection-reaction systems). These requirements are reflected in lease agreements. Additionally, a special fire prevention procedure tailored to individual locations is planned, along with a comprehensive analysis of forest protection methods around wind turbines.
The selected sites are located in managed forests on nutrient-poor soils, primarily pine monocultures. The turbine locations comply with the strictest provisions of the 2016 wind energy law, including the “10h” rule (a minimum distance of ten times the turbine height from residential areas and environmentally valuable sites). The chosen locations are more restrictive than current regulations and those planned in the wind energy law amendment. We openly and transparently communicate all critical elements arising from lease agreements. Due to the pilot nature of the project on the Polish market, agreements have not been disclosed, as some information is confidential from a business perspective for our partners.
Additionally, in the course of this pilot project, State Forests have partnered with the Poznań University of Life Sciences to conduct scientific research on the impact of wind farms on bird and bat populations in lowland forests of Poland. The results of these pioneering studies will provide not only crucial insights into wind farm effects on local wildlife populations but also serve as a foundation for developing guidelines for future investments of this type. These are groundbreaking studies not only on a national scale but also globally, raising scientific standards and setting new directions in the sustainable development of wind energy.
The allocation of forest land for energy infrastructure (power lines, gas pipelines) or other purposes (such as sand and gravel quarries) is conducted in accordance with the law. The legal basis for such investments includes the Forest Act, as well as provisions permitting the reclassification and use of forest land for non-forestry purposes, as outlined in the February 3, 1995, Act on the Protection of Agricultural and Forest Land. The same legal grounds apply to this case.
Finally, we would like to emphasize that green energy is not a black-and-white issue. Criticizing wind farms in forests is easy, yet no alternative energy solution has been proposed that is entirely “nature-friendly.” It is important to remember that no energy investments are free from environmental costs, and the country’s energy transition has become essential in recent years. We remain committed to engaging in a genuinely substantive discussion about minimizing negative impacts.
