President Karol Nawrocki highlights public discontent over wind turbines near homes, calling for stricter bans, but critics question the selective focus on one source of disturbance among many.
Why Stop at Wind Turbines? Nawrocki Should Ban the Construction of Anything 700 Meters from Homes [COMMENTARY]
President’s Stance on Wind Turbine Proximity
President Karol Nawrocki [https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/prezydent#anchorLink] stated that residents oppose 150-meter wind turbine proximity to homes and that reducing the distance to 500 meters is socially unacceptable. He criticized the wind turbine law, which he has vetoed, for failing to address these concerns adequately.
Lack of Consistency in Addressing Noise Sources
While Nawrocki emphasizes noise from wind turbines, critics argue that roads, railways, airports, church bells, and lawnmowers also create disturbances. For instance, neighbors in rural areas may face noise from agricultural machinery at night. The right-wing opposition, however, focuses narrowly on wind turbines, ignoring similar issues with other infrastructure.
Industrial Farms: A Greater Burden
Industrial farms cause significant discomfort and potential health risks through odors, hazardous substances, noise, and light pollution. Yet, no government has successfully passed legislation to regulate their placement, despite long-standing calls for such rules.
The Right’s Singular Focus on Wind Turbines
Right-wing politicians, such as PiS MP Jacek Ozdoba [https://www.tokfm.pl/Tokfm/7,103087,32163455,pedofil-na-komisji-parlamentarnej-ds-ochrony-dzieci-tak-tlumaczyl.html#anchorLink], claim wind turbines generate emissions from materials like rare-earth metals and concrete. However, these materials are also used in coal, nuclear, and gas power plants, as well as roads and railways, which the same right-wing bloc supports without objection.
Accusations of German Beneficiation
Critics of wind turbines in Poland often allege that they benefit Germany, citing Siemens Gamesa as a supplier. However, Denmark’s Vestas and other companies produce more turbines locally, and the right-wing bloc has no issue importing gas and oil from the U.S., which relies on continuous supply chains rather than short-term projects.
Economist’s Urgency for Renewable Energy Development
Economist Maciej Bukowski argues that without legal reform, the government should prioritize accelerating renewable energy projects using existing frameworks, as waiting for legislation changes could delay progress for another five years [https://energetyka24.com/oze/analizy-i-komentarze/polskie-wiatraki-zastapia-niemieckie-spolka-z-katowic-juz-nad-tym-dziala].
Source: Gazeta, https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/prezydent#anchorLink], https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/prawo-i-sprawiedliwosc#anchorLink], https://www.tokfm.pl/Tokfm/7, https://instytutsprawobywatelskich.pl/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Energetykawiatrowa2022.pdf], https://energetyka24.com/oze/analizy-i-komentarze/polskie-wiatraki-zastapia-niemieckie-spolka-z-katowic-juz-nad-tym-dziala]
