Energy Cooperatives as an Instrument for Stimulating Distributed Renewable Energy in Poland

In Poland, the development of renewable energy primarily focuses on solar energy, especially through household prosumer installations. One emerging solution for promoting distributed renewable energy is energy cooperatives. The main aim of the research was to identify the legal and socioeconomic fac...

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Main Authors: Katarzyna Brodzińska, Małgorzata Błażejowska, Zbigniew Brodziński, Irena Łącka, Alicja Stolarska
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Energies
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/4/838
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author Katarzyna Brodzińska
Małgorzata Błażejowska
Zbigniew Brodziński
Irena Łącka
Alicja Stolarska
author_facet Katarzyna Brodzińska
Małgorzata Błażejowska
Zbigniew Brodziński
Irena Łącka
Alicja Stolarska
author_sort Katarzyna Brodzińska
collection DOAJ
description In Poland, the development of renewable energy primarily focuses on solar energy, especially through household prosumer installations. One emerging solution for promoting distributed renewable energy is energy cooperatives. The main aim of the research was to identify the legal and socioeconomic factors influencing the formation and growth of energy cooperatives in Poland and to provide recommendations for their development. The research, conducted in 2024, covered 47 energy cooperatives. The data gathered included information from the National Court Register (KRS), the National Support Centre for Agriculture (KOWR), and qualitative research through in-depth individual interviews using the CATI technique (computer-assisted telephone interview). The findings highlight the need to streamline legal regulations concerning energy cooperatives, particularly the dual registration system (KRS and KOWR), which delays operational start-up. They also suggest reviewing restrictions on the area and power capacity for renewable energy distribution. Proper training for cooperative managers and network operator staff is essential. Given the early stage of Poland’s energy cooperative development, ongoing monitoring is necessary. Further research will aid in creating effective tools to foster the growth of distributed renewable energy, especially through energy cooperatives.
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issn 1996-1073
language English
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series Energies
spelling doaj-art-612951ea94184e1eb0fd2f8e3621fc422025-08-20T03:12:11ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-02-0118483810.3390/en18040838Energy Cooperatives as an Instrument for Stimulating Distributed Renewable Energy in PolandKatarzyna Brodzińska0Małgorzata Błażejowska1Zbigniew Brodziński2Irena Łącka3Alicja Stolarska4Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, PolandFaculty of Economic Sciences, Koszalin University of Technology, 75-343 Koszalin, PolandFaculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, PolandFaculty of Economics, West Pomeranian University of Technology, 71-270 Szczecin, PolandInstitute of Economics and Finance, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, 02-787 Warsaw, PolandIn Poland, the development of renewable energy primarily focuses on solar energy, especially through household prosumer installations. One emerging solution for promoting distributed renewable energy is energy cooperatives. The main aim of the research was to identify the legal and socioeconomic factors influencing the formation and growth of energy cooperatives in Poland and to provide recommendations for their development. The research, conducted in 2024, covered 47 energy cooperatives. The data gathered included information from the National Court Register (KRS), the National Support Centre for Agriculture (KOWR), and qualitative research through in-depth individual interviews using the CATI technique (computer-assisted telephone interview). The findings highlight the need to streamline legal regulations concerning energy cooperatives, particularly the dual registration system (KRS and KOWR), which delays operational start-up. They also suggest reviewing restrictions on the area and power capacity for renewable energy distribution. Proper training for cooperative managers and network operator staff is essential. Given the early stage of Poland’s energy cooperative development, ongoing monitoring is necessary. Further research will aid in creating effective tools to foster the growth of distributed renewable energy, especially through energy cooperatives.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/4/838energy cooperativesdistributed energyrenewable energy sourcesdevelopment conditions
spellingShingle Katarzyna Brodzińska
Małgorzata Błażejowska
Zbigniew Brodziński
Irena Łącka
Alicja Stolarska
Energy Cooperatives as an Instrument for Stimulating Distributed Renewable Energy in Poland
Energies
energy cooperatives
distributed energy
renewable energy sources
development conditions
title Energy Cooperatives as an Instrument for Stimulating Distributed Renewable Energy in Poland
title_full Energy Cooperatives as an Instrument for Stimulating Distributed Renewable Energy in Poland
title_fullStr Energy Cooperatives as an Instrument for Stimulating Distributed Renewable Energy in Poland
title_full_unstemmed Energy Cooperatives as an Instrument for Stimulating Distributed Renewable Energy in Poland
title_short Energy Cooperatives as an Instrument for Stimulating Distributed Renewable Energy in Poland
title_sort energy cooperatives as an instrument for stimulating distributed renewable energy in poland
topic energy cooperatives
distributed energy
renewable energy sources
development conditions
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/4/838
work_keys_str_mv AT katarzynabrodzinska energycooperativesasaninstrumentforstimulatingdistributedrenewableenergyinpoland
AT małgorzatabłazejowska energycooperativesasaninstrumentforstimulatingdistributedrenewableenergyinpoland
AT zbigniewbrodzinski energycooperativesasaninstrumentforstimulatingdistributedrenewableenergyinpoland
AT irenałacka energycooperativesasaninstrumentforstimulatingdistributedrenewableenergyinpoland
AT alicjastolarska energycooperativesasaninstrumentforstimulatingdistributedrenewableenergyinpoland