In mid-2024, provisions specifying the rules for the functioning of citizen energy communities were added to the Polish Energy Law. April of this year was another breakthrough towards decentralizing the energy network by giving real power over energy to citizens.
Bringing the action
The OSE MES-TOWN Łódź has become the first association to be entered into the register of civic energy communities in Poland. The group is to produce, consume and store electricity from photovoltaic panels, along with promoting renewable energy sources through setting an example of a model energy infrastructure.
Stating the facts
The said Renewable Energy Community undertaking has 7 members, who currently have photovoltaic installations with a capacity of 9.86 kWp, connected to the single network of PGE Dystrybucja S.A. The produced energy will be shared between members, whose projected annual demand for electricity is 18 MWh.
Ready for the good times
The community will be able to count on preferential energy billing rules, share infrastructure, manage energy surpluses and participate in support programs. Furthermore, through local energy production and management by the community, residents can gain greater independence from large energy companies.
Although MES-TOWN Łódź is the first such community in Poland, experts from Energy Regulatory Office and industry organizations predict that more will be added to the register in the coming months. Such predictions are the result of long-awaited legislative changes and growth of social awareness.