In a series of reports titled “Unpacking REPowerEU,” the Reform Institute, in cooperation with PORT PC, outlines the most important changes introduced by the European Union’s REPowerEU – a plan to accelerate the transition away from Russian fossil fuels.

The first publication, Unpacking REPowerEU: Clean energy as a recipe for the energy crisis, points to the gaps between the goals set by REPowerEU and current national regulations in the area of renewable energy. The energy crisis is forcing an acceleration of investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. It is already necessary to work on national regulations that will respond to the challenges Poland will face in the coming years in a new, much more demanding political and economic environment. The publication emphasizes that the REPowerEU plan includes, among other things, solving the problem of slow and complicated procedures for granting permits for investments in renewable energy sources. It recognizes the development of renewable energy sources as an overriding public interest, and introducing renewable energy target areas (go-to areas). 

The second publication, Unpacking REPowerEU: photovoltaics – the path to energy independence and affordable energy in buildings, focuses the solar energy parts of the Commission’s plan. These include an initiative for rooftop panels, improving the environment for investments in large-scale installations, and an EU industrial alliance for solar energy. Fully exploiting the potential of photovoltaics is extremely important for making the European Union independent of Russian fuel imports, which is why creating a favorable framework for the development of the solar energy market should be a priority at both EU and national level. 

The third publication, Unpacking REPowerEU: Energy Communities – The Missing Piece of the Puzzle, notes that many citizens in Poland are unable to engage in the energy transition under current energy market regulations. Energy communities could be the solution – a formula that enables citizens, small businesses, and local authorities to generate, manage, and consume their own energy. However, Polish regulations deviate significantly from EU guidelines, hindering the effective development of communities. The publication highlights that involving citizens in the energy transition is one of the essential elements for accelerating the development of renewable energy sources, and that it is necessary to implement regulatory changes that will enable the widespread development of energy communities in Poland. 

We invite you to familiarize yourself with our publications, available only in Polish.