A total of 1 112 renewable energy systems have been installed on privately owned buildings in eight municipalities in Poland’s Małopolskie and Podkarpackie regions. The EU-funded project was led by the Association of Municipalities of the Wisłoka River Basin, which comprises 22 municipalities. Believing that regional development and good quality of life depend on the natural environment, the association has worked on environmental projects for over 20 years.
- 20 April 2022
“We are an example of good cooperation between local governments at supra-regional level. So far, we have installed 10 500 solar and photovoltaic installations on private buildings, which are used by more than 43 000 inhabitants.”
A total of 630 solar collectors for generating heat, 475 photovoltaic systems for producing electricity, five heat pumps for heating water and two biomass boilers were installed in the municipalities of Brzyska, Dębowiec, Jodłowa, Kołaczyce, Krempna, Osiek Jasielski, Skołyszyn and Tarnowiec.
The 300 000 inhabitants of the 2 000 km² covered by the 22 municipalities have long relied on coal for heating. This releases pollutants, which have negative health and the environment. Wider use of renewable energy is the most effective means of preventing air pollution, and the sun is one of the most efficient renewable energy sources.
Wide-ranging benefits
As well as improving quality of life, replacing coal with renewable energy safeguards the area’s natural beauty and boosts its tourism potential. Residents emphasise the project’s financial benefits. EU funding has kept installation costs much lower than market prices and the installations themselves keep residents’ energy bills down.
Cooperation between municipalities within the association ensures that its activities are well-coordinated. The association supports local authorities by developing projects, identifying funding sources, supervising implementation, working with donors and partners and coordinating educational campaigns. It facilitates monitoring to gauge results and sustainability, which makes it easier to implement projects correctly, thereby helping to attract further financing.
Building on past success
This EU-funded project continues work done from 2012 to 2017, which improved air quality noticeably. Solar collectors were provided for 8 250 homes and 125 public buildings, including schools, nurseries, cultural centres, sports facilities, nursing homes and a hospital. In addition, 49 photovoltaic systems were installed on schools, sports centres, municipal offices and sewage treatment plants.
The association’s bargaining power lowered the price of the solar collectors by 25 %, while the financing the project was able to obtain minimised the outlay required from homeowners, many of whom would not otherwise have been able to afford such equipment. Moreover, the widespread deployment of solar panels raised awareness of the benefits of renewable energy.
Further actions undertaken by the association include the construction of 700 km of sewerage network, 200 km of water supply network and 17 wastewater treatment plants, as well as numerous ecological education and tourism projects.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Installation of renewable energy systems in the area belonging to the Association of Municipalities of the Wisłoka River Basin” is EUR 3 515 594, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 2 246 214 through the “Podkarpackie Voivodeship” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Improving use of renewable energy sources”.