Agricultural biogas plants are the real stars of Poland’s renewable energy landscape! 🌍 They’re the most common type of biogas facility in the country, and investing in them is a bit different than a typical energy venture. Why? Because lawmakers have decided to give farmers the “green light” 🚦 to speed up biogas plant development in agricultural areas—adding a little extra “power” to national green energy production along the way!
What’s the Advantage for Agricultural Biogas Plants? 🌾💡
Registration in the agricultural biogas producer registry, maintained by KOWR, is the first formal step—and it’s not as intimidating as it might seem! 😅
Administrative and legal procedures are also a bit friendlier for agricultural investors, with streamlined rules outlined in this subsection.
What Exactly Is an Agricultural Biogas Plant? 🤔
An agricultural biogas plant is a renewable energy installation that produces agricultural biogas (as defined in Article 2, Section 2 of the Renewable Energy Act). This biogas can then be used to produce:
electricity ⚡
heat 🔥
biomethane 💨
Agricultural biogas is created through the methane fermentation of various raw materials: from agricultural residues and animal manure to by-products of agricultural processing 🌾. Importantly, it does not include biogas derived from landfill waste or industrial wastewater treatment.
Agricultural biogas plants are not only beneficial for the environment, but they’re also an excellent way to use what often goes unnoticed in farming. With accelerated procedures and legal support, more and more farms are choosing this eco-friendly power source 💪🌿.
Registration in the Agricultural Biogas Producer Registry 📋🔋
Registration in the agricultural biogas producer registry is a crucial step for those looking to start biogas production in Poland. It’s the most commonly chosen formal path that allows for the quick acquisition of the necessary permit. Since biogas plants represent the future of ecology, lawmakers have given them a little extra “power” and expedited the administrative processes 💼💨.
Why is registration necessary? 🛠️
Registration facilitates the smoother acquisition of operating permits and particularly supports investments in rural areas, where access to agricultural raw materials is optimal. Renewable energy from agriculture? Yes, please! 🌱🚜
When should you submit the application?
You should register in the registry only after completing the construction, commissioning, and connecting the biogas plant to the grid. It’s time for formalities! 📜
What must the application include? 📝
The application, available on the KOWR website, must include:
producer details (headquarters, address, NIP),
information about the type and location of the operation,
planned capacity (in m³/year or installed power),
a declaration of no outstanding taxes and contributions,
proof of payment of the state fee and any necessary power of attorney.
Formalities completed? Great! After the application is approved, registration is finalized, and you receive a certificate 📄💪.
How long will it take? ⏱️
You won’t have to wait long for registration! The process should be completed within 7 days of submitting a correct application. If registration hasn’t been completed within 14 days, you can confidently start your operation!
Registration Costs 💸
The state fee for registration is 616 PLN, and if you hire a proxy, add an additional 17 PLN.
How to appeal if something goes wrong? ⚖️
You can appeal the decision to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development within 14 days. If needed, you can also file a complaint with the Voivodeship Administrative Court, and subsequently with the Supreme Administrative Court.
Online Application Option 💻
For convenience, the application can be submitted electronically via ePUAP—zero paperwork, more ecology!
Facilitations in Administrative Procedures for Agricultural Biogas Investors 🌱⚙️
Thanks to the new law, selected agricultural biogas plants have access to a "fast track" for investment procedures. This means fewer formalities, a quicker start, and more time to focus on green energy! ♻️💨
Who can benefit from the "fast track"? 🚀
To take advantage of the expedited procedures, investors must meet specific conditions. Below are the qualifying entities for the "fast track":
Individuals or legal entities operating a farm or agricultural business (including biogas energy producers),
Groups of agricultural producers and agri-food companies,
Wine producers 🍇 and energy cooperatives,
Universities and other research institutions 🎓,
Energy cluster coordinators collaborating with the above-mentioned entities.
Location and Technical Requirements 🏞️💡
The expedited procedures are available only for biogas plants that meet the following conditions:
Location: The plant must be situated on land owned by the investor or other authorized entities. Additionally, at least part of the substrates must come from these lands.
Technical parameters: The biogas plant must fall within specified power and efficiency limits, e.g., up to 3.5 MW for electricity, 10.5 MW for heat, and 14 million m³ per year for agricultural biogas.
Facilitation in the Investment Process 📜
The law offers a range of facilitation measures:
MPZP: For larger biogas plants (over 1 MW), the investment location can be determined by a resolution from the municipal council.
Building permit decision: For biogas plants with a capacity of up to 1 MW, a 65-day deadline has been established for issuing the decision, which speeds up the process.
Connection to the grid: Operators have 90 days to issue connection conditions for biogas plants with a capacity of up to 2 MW ⚡.
Building permit: The issuance period has been shortened from 65 to 45 days.
Waste processing permits: Selected substrates for biogas production may be used without additional permits, eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy 📑.
Fermentation Products 🌱
Investors will find it easier to introduce fermentation products to the market, similar to natural fertilizers. This solution supports the idea of a circular economy, reducing formalities related to their circulation!
#AgriculturalBiogasPlants in Poland 🌱💡
#Popularity of Agricultural Biogas Plants
Agricultural biogas plants are the most common type of biogas plant in Poland, supported by special legislation for faster investment implementation. The aim is to facilitate their development, especially in rural areas 🏞️.
To operate in the field of agricultural biogas, registration in the biogas producers registry (managed by KOWR) is required. The simplified procedure allows for a quick start, and completing the formalities takes up to 7 days from the submission of a correct application 🗂️.
#FastTrack for Investors 🚀
New regulations enable selected entities to carry out investments more quickly and easily, thanks to, among other things, facilitation in grid connections, local spatial development plans (MPZP), and environmental decisions. This includes reducing formalities and deadlines for permits, as well as the possibility of easier market entry for fermentation products.
#GreenEnergy and Benefits 🌍⚡
With legal support, the development of agricultural biogas plants contributes to strengthening Poland's green energy and local agricultural economy, while also supporting environmental protection.