Polish independent power producer R.Power Renewables has announced that it won five capacity market contracts in the December capacity market auction for the delivery year 2030, covering no less than 134 MW of capacity obligation.
According to a December 11 stock exchange filing, the energy storage facilities fulfilling these obligations would have a combined output of 1,012 MW and total capacity of approximately 4,032 MWh (about 4GWh), with the actual capacity obligation of 134 MW adjusted by a 13.39% derating factor. If finalized, the contracts could generate at least PLN 1.3 billion (approximately $320 million) in revenue over 17 years, with prices indexed annually to the consumer price index.
Following this contract award, R.Power’s Polish battery storage portfolio would total 1.7 GW / 6.3 GWh under capacity agreements, consolidating the company’s leading position in the Central and Eastern European energy storage sector.
Capacity Market Prices Reach Historic High
On December 15, transmission system operator PSE SA published the preliminary results of the 2030 capacity market auction, setting the auction closing price at PLN 465.02/kW/year ($128/kW/year), marking the highest price in the history of Poland’s capacity market.
This price significantly exceeds previous auction results. For comparison, in the December 2024 auction for 2029 delivery, R.Power’s three large-scale battery projects secured 17-year capacity market contracts at PLN 264.90/kW/year ($65/kW/year), with a total capacity of 650 MW / 2,300 MWh.
PGE reported that a total of 1,399.218 MW of capacity obligations were contracted for entities within the PGE Group, including 44.028 MW in 17-year contracts, 1,097.718 MW in 15-year contracts, 210.472 MW in 7-year contracts, and 47.000 MW in annual contracts.
Rapid Growth in Energy Storage Market
Poland’s capacity market has witnessed rapid growth in energy storage projects in recent years. The first auction in 2022 saw only 165 MW of storage projects awarded, which surged to 1.7 GW in 2023 and approximately 2.5 GW in 2024. This trend reflects Poland’s urgent need for energy transformation.
R.Power, as a leading renewable energy developer in Poland, is currently developing three large-scale battery projects totaling 650 MW / 2,300 MWh. These projects secured 17-year capacity market contracts in the December 2024 auction. Combined with the newly awarded contracts, the company is building one of the largest energy storage portfolios in Central and Eastern Europe.
Policy Background and Market Outlook
According to Poland’s Energy Policy until 2040 (EPP2040), renewable energy installed capacity is expected to reach 23-25 GW by 2030, double that of 2020. Poland plans to increase the share of renewable energy in electricity generation to around 50% by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2040.
The capacity market mechanism is an important regulatory instrument to ensure long-term security of electricity supply in Poland, aimed at incentivizing power companies to build new generation facilities and upgrade existing units. Under current regulations, the last main capacity market auction will take place in December 2025 for the delivery year 2030 and beyond.
The final results of the capacity auction are announced by the President of the Energy Regulatory Office in the Public Information Bulletin on the first business day after the 21st day following the auction’s conclusion.
Poland’s energy market is undergoing a major transformation. As coal-fired units are gradually decommissioned, energy storage systems, natural gas units, and renewable energy will play a crucial role in filling the capacity gap. R.Power’s newly awarded contracts not only consolidate the company’s market position but also provide important support for Poland’s energy transition.
