Environmental impact

Polenergia is committed to protecting the environment and fostering a sustainable society that ensures prosperity for both current and future generations. The Group consistently implements its projects in line with the highest social, environmental, and ethical standards.

102-11
103-1
103-2
103-3
301-1
303-3
307-1
306-1

Polenergia addresses the expectations of its stakeholders in areas such as environmental protection and health and safety, including the requirements set by financial institutions (such as the Equator Principles and IFC standards). By consciously selecting environmentally friendly projects, the Group builds trust with financial institutions and customers who receive green energy in line with the Energy 2051 standard. The Polenergia Group complies with both local and EU environmental protection laws, evaluates the environmental impact of its development, construction, and operational activities, and reports its performance in a transparent and reliable manner.

Polenergia views its responsibility toward the natural environment and local communities as a cornerstone of its long-term development strategy and a key pillar of its ESG framework. This commitment is reflected in initiatives such as the introduction of a Biodiversity Strategy, along with environmental policies and procedures that are part of its corporate governance structure.

Transparency and Compliance with ESG Regulations

Polenergia published its 2024 Sustainability Report in accordance with the CSRD directive and European ESRS reporting standards. Notably, the Group did so ahead of the mandatory deadline, setting a benchmark within the energy sector. The report includes data on the company’s carbon footprint and outlines its decarbonisation strategy. Emissions are reported across Scopes 1, 2, and 3, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to carbon footprint management.

As part of its environmental management strategy, Polenergia has implemented a number of formal procedures and policies that apply across the Group. Key documents include:

Environmental and Social Policy – outlining principles for minimising the impact of operations on the natural environment and local communities;
Biodiversity Strategy – prioritising biodiversity protection across all investments and activities;
Procedure for Minimum Environmental and Social Standards – detailing the obligations of contractors and subcontractors in maintaining compliance;
Environmental and Social Management System Review Procedure – ensuring regular checks for compliance with legal regulations, as well as internal policies and procedures;
Code of Ethics and Code of Business Partners – requiring all contractors to follow the principles of sustainable development.

These documents enable Polenergia to achieve its business objectives while upholding the highest standards of due diligence in environmental protection and sustainable development at both operational and strategic levels.

Social Engagement and Biodiversity Initiatives

Under its 2023 ESG Strategy, the Polenergia Group allocates 1% of its consolidated net profit to social engagement and biodiversity initiatives—demonstrating a strong commitment to responsible environmental and community stewardship. Project locations are selected responsibly, based on detailed environmental inventories and monitoring carried out by experienced naturalists both before and after project implementation.

The implementation of the Biodiversity Strategy has resulted in a range of tangible actions, including: establishment of flower meadows on photovoltaic farm sites, creation of biotopes, installation of nesting sites for birds of prey, tree and shrub planting, the Harrier Protection Programme, the “Play Green with Us!^®” environmental education initiative, launched in 2022, which promotes ecological awareness among children and youth.

More information on Polenergia’s biodiversity initiatives can be found on the Group’s website.

Significant Reduction in CO₂e Emissions

Since 2021, the Polenergia Group has monitored its carbon footprint and taken strategic actions to reduce it. In 2023 alone, the Group avoided over one million tonnes of CO₂e emissions. This achievement underscores the Group’s ongoing contribution of reducing approximately one million tonnes of CO₂e annually through the production of green energy. In the coming years, the development of offshore wind farms is expected to further cut emissions by an additional two million tonnes of CO₂e per year.

We invite you to read the report The Polenergia Group’s Path to Decarbonisation for further insights.

Energy Generation, Waste, and Fuel Consumption

Polenergia publishes detailed data on resource consumption and environmental impact. The Group monitors and reports on:

Electricity and heat production, broken down by renewable and non-renewable sources;
Natural gas consumption – a key factor in the energy transition;
Waste generation – including a breakdown into hazardous and non-hazardous waste.

Polenergia Elektrociepłownia Nowa Sarzyna Sp. z o.o. is responsible for 100% of the Group’s natural gas consumption. The facility operates a 116 MWe / 70 MWt combined cycle gas-steam unit, producing electricity and heat. Electricity is sold to a Polenergia trading company, while heat is supplied to nearby chemical plants for technological use and to the municipal utility of the town and municipality of Nowa Sarzyna for heating purposes.

Below you will find selected environmental data from recent years. Full reports are available in the ESG Report and Social Engagement and Biodiversity Actions Report.

	unit	2022	2023	2024
Electricity generated from renewable energy sources	MWh	1 053 486,53	1 505 204,81	1 524 325,14
Generated electricity from non-renewable energy sources	MWh	80 955,34	174 034,48	120 304,65
Total	MWh	1 134 441,87	1 679 239,29	1 644 629,79
Thermal energy generated	GJ	427 227,00	356 364,58	303 401,63

	unit	2021	2022	2023	2024
waste total	Mg	688,87	504,18	267,48	331,31
non-hazardous waste	Mg	684,02	499,76	264,19	328,18
hazardous waste	Mg	4,85	4,42	3,29	3,13

	unit	2021	2022	2023	2024
Natural gas	MWh	544 534,70	287 362,27	446 402,33	327 893,29

The third edition of Polenergia's educational program Play Green with Us!^® has just ended

With the end of the 2024/2025 school year, the third edition of Polenergia’s educational program Play Green with Us! ^® has also come to an end. Over 80 primary schools and kindergartens located where Polenergia develops its projects have organized over 3,000 hours of eco-activities. Over 15,000 students participated in eco-lessons Play Green with Us! ^® in the third edition of the program.

Bee Day in Sulechów

Around 80 students from local primary schools took part in Bee Day organized by the Polenergia Group at the Sulechów Photovoltaic Farm. This event, combining education and fun, provided an opportunity to learn more about these ecologically beneficial insects, as well as to deepen knowledge about biodiversity and green energy. The day was filled with attractions, including workshops on entomology, renewable energy sources, and beekeeping. Bee Day in Sulechów is part of the Play Green with Us!^® educational program aimed at schools and kindergartens—a unique Polenergia initiative designed to raise climate awareness among students.

Opening of Two Azalea Greenhouses as Part of the “Play Green with Us!^®” Program

Two azalea greenhouses have been opened at schools in the Nowa Sarzyna municipality, where seedlings of the unique yellow rhododendron (Rhododendron luteum, also known as Pontic azalea) were planted. This initiative is the result of cooperation between local primary schools implementing Polenergia’s educational program Play Green with Us!^®.

Polenergia Publishes Its Second Sustainability Report Aligned with the CSRD Directive

Polenergia has published its second sustainability report prepared in accordance with the CSRD directive, the EU regulation establishing ESG reporting standards. While this requirement will formally apply to the company starting next year or even 2028 if new EU regulations are implemented, Polenergia is already in compliance. The company’s 2024 report has been positively assessed by an independent auditor.

Social engagement and biodiversity actions report of the Polenergia Group for 2024

The first comprehensive scientific publication in Poland on the reconstruction of meadow ecosystems at the Sulechów Photovoltaic Farms: best practices for the renewable energy industry

The Polenergia Group and the University of Zielona Góra have jointly published a scientific paper on the environmental impact of photovoltaic farms. The book entitled ’Green potential. Photovoltaics as an example of renewable energy supporting biodiversity’ is the result of research conducted by scientists from the University of Zielona Góra and the League of Natural Protection on the premises of the Farm Complex in Sulechów, which belongs to Polenergia. It is a source of natural information for specialists and laypeople, but also provides knowledge about the photovoltaic farms themselves.

Environmental Actions Taken in 2024

Taking initiatives for environmental protection is crucial for maintaining the balance of ecosystems and biodiversity. In 2024, the Polenergia Group continued its commitment to actions aimed at making a positive impact and minimizing the negative effects on nature.

Meadow Harrier Conservation. Summary of the 2024 season.

The 2024 season of the Active Meadow Harrier Protection Programme, run by Polenergia’s Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development Department, marked another success in conservation efforts for this unique species.

In Polenergia WE HAVE THE POWER!

In April 2024, the Polenergia Group launched a new employee volunteer grant program called WE HAVE THE POWER!

Final of the 2nd Edition of the Sports Challenge POWER UP!

From April 6th 2024 until the end of June, employees of Polenergia competed and motivated each other in the sports challenge POWER UP! Their kilometers, steps, and even exercise time were converted by Polenergia into a donation of 30,000 PLN in support of the CukierAsy Association!

Biodiversity Protection Education – 3rd Edition of the Polenergia’s Educational Classes

The latest edition of classes on biodiversity protection was conducted as part of the project Play Green with Us!^® These educational activities were carried out in local primary schools in the municipalities of Grabowo, Rajgród, Kwilcz, and in a kindergarten in the municipality of Żuromin.

Final of the Second Edition of Play Green with Us!

The second edition of the educational project Play Green with Us! has come to an end. In the 2023/2024 school year, nearly 7,000 students from over 75 schools participated in the program. More than 2,600 lessons on ecology and climate protection were conducted.

Bee Day with Polenergia

On June 4th, Polenergia organized “Bee Day” at one of the Group’s photovoltaic farms located in the Sulechów municipality. The event was held for the second time in celebration of International Bee Day.

Biodiversity at the Strzelino Photovoltaic Farm

Polenergia Group, as part of its commitment to sustainable development and active protection of the environment, has taken more actions to increase biodiversity.

Eco Rafting – Together for Cleaner Rivers

On 25 May 2024, the first employee volunteer event in the series MAMY MOC! – Eco Rafting on the Liwiec River. The event was attended by 55 Volunteers in 35 canoes, who combined physical activity with an ecological mission and mutual integration.

Earth Day

On April 22nd – as every year – we celebrated Earth Day. Observing this day is very important because it emphasizes concern for the environment and promotes ecological awareness. Through various activities and events, people are encouraged to reflect on the impact of their actions on the planet.

Sowing seeds of honey plants at the PV Strzelino – implementation of Polenergia Biodiversity Strategy

Our large-scale photovoltaic farm projects are not only about increasing renewable energy capacity in the Polish power system.

Impatiens glandulifera from the Słowiński National Park

Aware of the importance of biodiversity as the foundation of life and an important factor in the well-being of people, the environment and the climate, Polenergia is actively involved in protecting ecosystems and enhancing biodiversity. For another year, we have taken action under the Re:Generation program, which is a direct response of UNEP/GRID-Warsaw to the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration announced by the UN from 2021 to 2030.

Activities for the Kamionka Valley nature reserve

Polenergia Group, being a leader in the green energy transition, is actively involved in sustainable development. Our ambition is to continuously reduce the negative impact on the environment, primarily by reducing CO₂ emissions while increasing biodiversity, not only on our investment sites.

Activities for the Kołacznia nature reserve

For several years, Polenergia has been actively involved in campaigns dedicated to the environment. In 2020, we launched the Group Development Strategy, where the issue of climate change is indicated as the basis for the Group’s development.

Activities for sports and health undertaken in 2023

Taking into account the need for physical activation, especially among children and youth, the Polenergia Group supports initiatives that encourage active lifestyles and promote healthy living. Priorities include projects targeting marginalized communities, children and youth, the elderly, people with disabilities, and children from dysfunctional families.

Previous topic

Climate impact management

Next topic

Biodiversity in Polenergia Group’s ESG Strategy