A recent report developed by the Energy Forum and Enercode indicates three possible directions for the development of heat sources in Warsaw – Scenario Business as Usalin which the city generally remains with existing coal and gas sources, variant system heating development using technologies such as heat pumps, waste heat, biomethane or waste combustion installations, and a third Model for the development of individual distributed sources.
According to experts, the best results, both financially, socially and environmentally, can be achieved thanks to Scenario to the second. Clean sources of network heat together with thermomodernization until 2059 are to cost PLN 380 billion and reduce carbon dioxide emissions O 103.3 million tons. The Air Protection and Climate Policy Office at the Office of the Capital City of Warsaw also collaborated when developing an analysis. Warsaw, which answered the questions of our editorial office about the agency of the capital's local government, selected methods and existing energy and climate achievements.
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Conducive to administrative decisions
As we wrote, the city's capabilities, especially in the field of development of system heating, are limited (though non -zero, as the Energy Forum expert, Andrzej Rubczyński, told us). The main players in this area are separate enterprisesi.e. responsible for heat production in four plants (Żerań and Siekierki CHP plants and working as peak sources heating plants Wola and Kawęczyn)
The Bureau of Air Protection and Climate Policy admits that there is not much to say in key issues regarding their functioning. “Both enterprises are commercial law entities, independent of the Warsaw self -government (…) M. St. Warsaw cannot interfere in the implementation of the budget of these enterprises and and the scope of work planned by them “ – we read in the answers sent.
The office explains that the transformation activities of both companies result primarily from the requirements of EU law, including the directive on energy efficiency, which requires heating systems to achieve the status of the so -called Energy effective system. The relevant criteria in this area will change in time, boiling down to a smaller share of heat from the combustion of fossil fuels, and increasingly higher – the one that is made of renewable energy or waste heat.
“Today we can talk about the fulfillment by the heating system in Warsaw to ensure at least 75 percent of heat from high -efficiency cogeneration” – emphasizes the office.
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He also states that the local government should be active in relations with enterprises “despite the lack of direct translation into their plans and final investment decisions.” “The area is even related to the issuing of administrative decisions conducive to the sector transforming activities He is the one in which the city will be a partner for both entities ” – is the office's position.
From January, gas stoves without subsidies
We also asked the city's possible involvement in the greening of individual heat sources; Although their replacement is ultimately the responsibility of the owners, the local government can support selected directions.
The office unit states that individual heating is a necessity in single -family buildings or in multi -family buildings on the outskirts of the capital. The local government has been supporting the transition to low and zero -emission technologies since 2017, when it was introduced Subsidies for the replacement of solid fuel boilers and replacing them with gas boilers or heat pumps combined with solar.
From the beginning of this year, however, the city has not subsidized gas stoves, which results from the requirements prohibiting the subsidy of fossil fuels of the building directive. Gas sources owners can use funding for the heat pump set + PV installation. “Due to the provisions of the Mazovian anti -smog resolution, Coal as fuel for heating buildings is already used only in a few cases “ – adds the Office of Air Protection and Climate Policy.
The Business AS Rekual scenario, in which Orlen Termika finishes its gas investments in Żerań, and besides, nothing important is happening, he was used for comparative simulation and according to the office “allows himself to be aware of, How important are activities supporting the energy security of residents and the city And what threats bring a lack of action and maintenance in the current formula of energy consumption and its production “(Recall – the reference variant would cost PLN 694 billion by 2059 and would be associated with the issue of PLN 213 million tons of CO2).
According to the information provided to us, from 2017 to the end of 2024 90 percent were liquidated in Warsaw. classless coal and wood boilers, i.e. Cinderella; Their number decreased from 15,000. until 1510. From 2019, the Municipal Program “Fighting Smog” worth PLN 300 million, which covers up to 100 percent. investment costs.
The office adds that the residents do not require a legal title to real estate, which is to increase the scale of the program impact, and also writes about “door-to-door” activities conducted by the so-called ecodoraders.
SCT will limit nitrogen dioxide?
The exchange of heating sources and thermomodernization meant that the main perpetrator of air pollution, especially in the city center, became road transport. Warsaw is trying to limit low car emissions using public transport.
– Last year, over 956 million passengers benefited from Warsaw public transport. Again more than a year ago – notes the Bureau of Air Protection and Climate Policy. Less than 40 percent Municipal bus rolling stock is low or zero -emission vehicles, of which 200 pieces fall on electric vehicles. The city boasts investments in metro lines, trams or bicycle paths, but also resisting some drivers Pure Transport Zone.
– It covered the majority of Śródmieście and fragments of the surrounding districts, it is an area of 37 km. kw, or 7 percent the area of the capital. Currently, entry restrictions apply only to 3 percent. vehicles in Warsaw, but these are the most polluting cars, i.e. old diesels – reminds the office in the commentary. Vehicle requirements will be tightened until 2032and the purpose of the zone is to be primarily a decrease in nitrogen dioxide pollution.
New rules in 2030
The city usually assures that despite all the actions, “big challenges” remain before it. After the adoption of the new EU level last year air quality directives, From 2030, more stringent standards of permissible concentrations of PM 2.5 PM10 dust, benzo (a) pyrene or nitrogen dioxide will apply throughout the community. The office admits that Warsaw must prepare for this moment.
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“Regardless of the good average annual results of the capital, in the first quarter we recorded days with exceeding the daily level of PM 2.5 and PM10. This is due to many factors (transport, very dry winter, cinderella, which have become, but also functioning in accordance with the law, ecoprojekt furnaces) ” – reports the municipal unit. Hopes are to be banned from burning coal since 2028 in municipalities neighboring Warsaw. The capital wants to support smaller partners from the so -called The bagel together with the voivodship self -government and social activists.
