Wind Energy
We are undertaking pilot investments in the construction of wind farms on forest land, in cooperation with an experienced partner – Eurowind Energy. The State Forests are not the investor; our role is limited to leasing the land and participating as an observer in the process.
All selected locations comply with current legislation, both in terms of the required distance from residential buildings and the restrictions imposed by forms of nature protection. The investment process is conducted in an open and transparent manner, with thorough analysis of all key aspects of the project: environmental, social, and economic. We also draw on the experience of foresters from Finland, Sweden, and Germany – countries where wind turbines already operate above forested areas.
Currently, the pilot project is being carried out in 2 locations (across 3 forest districts) in the Lubusz Voivodeship, on land managed by the Regional Directorates of the State Forests in Szczecin and Zielona Góra. Each location is planned to host up to 10 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 6–7 MW. At present, the projects are at the stage of administrative consultations and approvals.
Wind turbines require relatively little land: approximately 2,000–3,000 square meters (20–30 ares) are needed to construct a foundation. During construction and subsequent operation, only point-specific and necessary thinnings are planned, limited to what is required to prepare the site. For transporting turbine components, existing or planned forest and fire roads will be utilized to the greatest extent possible. Some of these may need to be widened to accommodate turning radii for transport vehicles.
These roads will later serve as service roads and be designated as fire protection roads. After the investment period ends (the lease term for pilot projects is 30 years), the area may be reforested.
The turbines will operate above the forest canopy, with blades reaching heights of approximately 70–80 meters. The lower tip of the rotor blades will be at least 50 meters above the tree crowns.
Our top priority is upholding the highest environmental protection standards. Preliminary environmental monitoring of the investment sites has already begun and will be continued by the investor in subsequent phases, in accordance with the terms defined in the environmental decision.
The turbines will also be equipped with the latest technologies to prevent collisions with birds and bats. Detection-response systems will minimize collision risk by:
stopping the turbine when a bird enters the immediate collision risk zone (calculated based on turbine parameters),
slowing rotor rotation,
activating deterrent signals (acoustic or visual) to prevent birds from entering the risk zone.
In addition, the turbines will be equipped with their own fire protection systems (including self-extinguishing systems) and fire detection systems, as required by, for example, the project’s insurer. The investor will also have the ability to remotely shut down the turbine in the event of a fire. The State Forests operate a professional and well-organized fire protection system that safeguards forests regardless of the source of ignition. In addition to existing procedures, during the pre-investment phase, the investor and the State Forests, in cooperation with the fire service, will develop a dedicated fire safety protocol for such incidents occurring in forest areas.
