Poland is one of the European Union countries to have introduced white certificates several years ago. This is a programme to encourage energy saving, called “świadectwo efektywności energetycznej”, which can be translated as “energy efficiency certificate”. In practical terms, it requires suppliers and traders of electricity, gas, fuel and heat – the “obligated parties” – to take measures to reduce their energy consumption. For example, by improving the insulation of industrial installations, pipe systems and singular points with insulation mattresses.
If they do not respect this requirements, obligated parties will be penalised by a fine. On the other hand, when they promote energy efficiency and save MWh, they obtain white certificates.
This Polish programme has a few similarities with the French energy savings certificate (CEE), such as the nature of the operations and work carried out, and, according to recent figures, is proving to be fairly effective.
The principle of this energy efficiency certificate
The “świadectwo efektywności energetycznej” was introduced by law in Poland in 2016. It sets an ambitious national goal: to achieve 5,580,000 toe by 2030, or around 65 TWh (terawatt hours).
“Obligated parties” (suppliers and traders of gas, electricity, urban heating and fuels, for example) must meet an annual energy savings obligation. The most common actions for which certificates can be obtained include :
- thermal renovation ;
- replacement of industrial equipment ;
- improving insulation ;
- recovering energy from industrial processes;
- changing lighting installations.
These certificates are issued by a public institution, the “Energy Regulation Office“, after studying a request and supporting documents, and carrying out an audit. A minimum threshold has also been set for certificates to be issued: 10 toe (around 15 to 20 GWh). However, DEKKHA Consulting believes that this threshold is an obstacle to the widespread deployment of this programme in Poland, and that it could be changed in the near future.
A rather effective hybrid and incentive system
Poland’s energy efficiency certificate is hybrid. That means that it requires obligated parties to make energy savings, but also provides for alternative measures. For the moment, this programme is working, even if Poland has not yet reached its goal.
In fact, a European report from 2022 indicates that, over the period 2014-2020, the country achieved 10,473 KtoE (Tons of Oil Equivalent) in energy savings. The goal was 14,818 KtoE. So Poland only achieved 71% of its goal. But it’s a good result when you realise that the programme was only introduced in 2016. The country also did better than Italy over the same period – 9,158 KtoE – even though its system is older, dating from 2005.
In addition to its hybrid nature, the Polish system has one particular feature that contributes to its success: the existence of a secondary market. The energy savings realised are monetised, with levels of valuation similar to those in Spain. But these two European countries are not the only ones to have such markets. This is also the case in Italy and France. White certificate “obligated parties” in these countries can take advantage of this to export their know-how (their products) to these new markets.
