Polish President Karol Nawrocki has hinted during a Polsat News interview that he might veto the wind turbine law, which not only aims to lower electricity prices but also regulates turbine placement.
Karol Nawrocki on the Wind Turbine Law
The law is essentially about wind turbines, he said. The prime minister and most of the parliament want to pressure not just the president but Polish citizens with the placement of turbines closer to homes. Many Poles protested during the campaign and continue to protest today. There are lobbying issues from companies installing turbines. “I will not give in to this pressure,” Nawrocki told Polsat News on Tuesday evening.
He added that he would make a decision soon and present his own proposal. “Energy prices should be lower; I’ll help the government and the prime minister with that. But I believe we should not play with such maneuvers. We are a nation of freedom and we cannot surrender to lobbying coercion.”
Tusk: What You Don’t Understand?
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Donald Tusk referred to the wind turbine law on X. “President Nawrocki promised cheap electricity and thus decided to veto the law guaranteeing cheap power. What don’t you understand?” he wrote. The post likely referred to earlier statements by President’s spokesman Rafał Leśkiewicz, who announced a veto after speaking with Polish Press Agency.
The Law Won’t Gain the President’s Approval
“Freezing electricity prices is obvious, the president said during the campaign. The law mistakenly includes distance requirements for turbines from buildings, which has nothing to do with it. This law is political, not substantive,” Leśkiewicz told PAP on Monday. “The president will take a blow. There is no chance this solution will gain the president’s approval. We are currently negotiating in the President’s Office and will present our solutions.” He added that the solution also aims to freeze electricity prices.
What the ‘Wind Turbine Law’ Covers
Passed in August by the Sejm and sent to the president after Senate amendments, the law stipulates, among other things, a freeze of electricity prices for households at 500 zloty per MWh until the end of the year. It also includes provisions such as the minimum distance of wind turbines from residential buildings, reduced from 700 to 500 meters. “The bill unlocks investment potential for new wind farms. Local governments and communities will have full autonomy to decide on the feasibility, location, and scale of projects on their territory,” the Ministry of Climate and Environment announced earlier this month.
