Energy The renewable energy investment process - step by step

In short:

• The renewable energy investment process includes location analysis, obtaining environmental decisions, design, construction and licensing.
• Each stage requires compliance with the spatial development plan and building law.
• The key decisions are: development conditions, building permits and environmental decisions.
• The investor must obtain grid connection conditions and a license to generate electricity.

Investing in renewable energy requires a precisely defined investment process, which leads step-by-step from site planning to obtaining a license to generate electricity. What is this process and how does it work?

The investment process in renewable energy sources is a set of activities that the investor must carry out to implement the investment – usually photovoltaic installations or wind farms. Its goal is nothing other than to create a renewable source of electricity in accordance with applicable legal provisions and spatial development principles.

Each such project requires technical, legal, and environmental preparation. The renewable energy investment process includes, among other things, selecting a plot/site, obtaining appropriate permits and decisions, developing a construction design, and then connecting the installation to the power grid.

Implementing a renewable energy investment requires going through several key stages. Below we present what the investment process looks like from the idea to the launch of a renewable energy installation.

Site selection and location analysis

The first step is to select a suitable plot or site and check its compliance with the local development plan or, in the absence thereof, obtain a decision on development conditions.

Most photovoltaic and wind farms require an environmental permit, based on a project information sheet. This document determines the project’s environmental impact and provides the basis for further development.

Construction design and building permit

The next step is to prepare a construction design in accordance with building law and submit an application for a building permit. In the absence of a local plan, the provisions of the spatial development conditions and directions study should be taken into account.

Grid connection conditions

The investor must also apply to the power system operator for the issuance of grid connection conditions. This step determines the technical feasibility of the connection and any potential need for infrastructure expansion.

Construction and final acceptance

Once all permits are obtained, construction can begin. Upon completion of the work, final inspection and an occupancy permit are obtained.

Obtaining a license and starting production

The final step is to obtain a license for electricity generation, issued by the energy regulatory office. From this point on, the investor can begin producing and selling energy produced from renewable sources.

Every renewable energy investment process requires the preparation of appropriate documentation and obtaining a series of permits in accordance with applicable regulations. Their completeness determines whether the investment in renewable energy sources can be implemented without delays and additional costs.

A well-prepared renewable energy investment, whether a PV farm or a wind turbine, requires meticulous planning, comprehensive documentation, and ongoing communication with the grid operator. This is key to the smooth running of the entire investment process.

What is the renewable energy investment process?
This is a set of activities that an investor must undertake to implement an investment in renewable energy sources, such as a photovoltaic farm or wind farm. The goal is to create an electricity-generating installation in compliance with regulations and the local zoning plan.

What are the main stages of the investment process?
The most important stages include: selecting a plot and analysing the location, obtaining environmental decisions, preparing a construction design and building permit, obtaining grid connection conditions, constructing the installation and obtaining a license for electricity generation.

What permits are necessary to implement renewable energy investments?
The key documents are: a decision on environmental conditions, a decision on development conditions (if there is no local plan), a building permit, grid connection conditions and an energy regulation office’s license.

How long does the investment process take in RES?
Depending on the scale of the project and the location, the entire investment process usually takes from several months to even 2-3 years, with the most time-consuming step being obtaining administrative decisions and connection conditions.

Who issues a license to produce electricity?
The license is granted by an appropriate energy regulation office after construction is completed and the installation has been accepted for final inspection. Without it, the investor cannot begin generating electricity.

Is the investment process the same for PV and wind farms?
The stages are similar, but differ in technical requirements and connection conditions. In the case of wind farms, a detailed environmental impact assessment and landscape impact analysis are more often required.