Law and regulationAnalysis
Biogas plant support systems in Poland: fixed price, negative balance, auctions and certificates — a comparison
A comparison of the support mechanisms for biogas plants in Poland at the end of 2025: the fixed purchase price (FIT), the right to cover the negative balance (FIP), auctions, certificates of origin and the chapter for biomethane.
Other language versions: polski.
At the end of 2025, biogas plants in Poland could use four different routes: the fixed purchase price (FIT) for the smallest installations, the right to cover the negative balance (the equivalent of FIP) for installations from 200 kW to 1 MW (in 2025 transitionally from 400 kW), auctions organised by the President of URE and — for energy from installations commissioned before 2016 — certificates of origin. Biomethane up to 1 MW had its own mechanism, and for larger installations biomethane auctions were only being prepared.
Comparison of mechanisms
| Mechanism | For whom | How it works | Period | Key conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed purchase price (FIT), Article 70a(1) | installations below 200 kW (in 2025 transitionally below 400 kW) using agricultural biogas, other biogas, hydropower or biomass | sale of unused energy to the obliged seller at a fixed price calculated from the reference price, indexed by a price index | 15 years from the first sale, but no later than 30 June 2047 | separate set of equipment for power export; declaration and URE certificate; declarations on substrates |
| Right to cover the negative balance (FIP), Article 70a(2) | installations from 200 kW to 1 MW (in 2025 transitionally from 400 kW) | sale of energy to a selected entity on the market; the difference to the fixed price is covered by the renewable energy settlement operator | as above | URE certificate; documentation on a daily basis; settlement by the renewable energy settlement operator |
| Auctions, Articles 72–83 | installations from baskets by type of biogas and capacity (up to 1 MW and above) | price offer on the URE platform; the lowest prices win; investment aid reduces the price | up to 15 years, but no later than 30 June 2047 | security of PLN 30 or PLN 60/kW; decisions after 2021 depend on the European Commission's decision on aid |
| Certificates of origin, Article 44 | energy from installations in which energy was first generated before the entry into force of the auction system | property rights tradable on the exchange; obligation to redeem them on the side of energy companies | 15 years from the first generation of energy confirmed by a certificate, but no later than 31 December 2035 | the certificate system for agricultural biogas has been repealed, those issued earlier remain valid |
| Biomethane, Chapter 4a | installations up to 1 MW (converted to electrical capacity) | fixed purchase price of biomethane and right to cover the negative balance | 20 years, but no later than 30 June 2048 | reference price PLN 545/MWh (agricultural biogas) and PLN 538/MWh (biogas); reservation fee or guarantee of PLN 12/kW |
Alongside support: complementary instruments
- Guarantees of origin — a document for the customer, not a form of support.
- NCW — the transport market for unsupported biomethane (bioCNG, bioLNG).
- High-efficiency cogeneration — a separate premium system under the Act of 14 December 2018 on promoting electricity from high-efficiency cogeneration; the scope should be checked for a specific installation.
- Investment grants — independent of the Act on Renewable Energy Sources, but they reduce the support price in auctions, FIT/FIP and biomethane.
How to choose a mechanism
- Capacity below 200 kW? Consider FIT; simple, with no obligation of commercial balancing (the costs are borne by the obliged seller).
- From 200 kW to 1 MW? FIP or an auction; FIP gives price predictability, an auction offers a chance of a higher price if there is competition in the basket.
- Above 1 MW? Electricity auctions; for biomethane — waiting for the auction provisions.
- Biomethane up to 1 MW? Chapter 4a or market sale with the NCW; the choice rules out accumulation (supported biomethane does not count towards the NCW).
- Installation from before 2016? Check the status of certificates and the support period.
Notes on deadlines
- A URE certificate for FIT/FIP can be obtained until 30 June 2027, and after a positive decision of the European Commission on the compatibility of state aid — until 31 December 2027.
- The transitional threshold of 400 kW applied until 31 December 2025; from 1 January 2026 the 200 kW threshold applies.
- Auctions require security: PLN 30/kW for installations in operation and PLN 60/kW for new or modernised ones.
Typical mistakes
- Assuming that the 500 kW thresholds from earlier descriptions still apply.
- Lack of a separate set of equipment for power export — a formal requirement for FIT/FIP.
- Combining support with a grant without calculating the adjusted price.
- Omitting the substrate restriction (only Article 2(2)) in the declarations.
Example scenarios
| Installation | Possible routes |
|---|---|
| 150 kW agricultural biogas plant, slurry and agricultural waste | fixed purchase price (below 200 kW from 2026) or an auction |
| 800 kW agricultural biogas plant | right to cover the negative balance or an auction in the basket up to 1 MW |
| 2 MW agricultural biogas plant | auction in the basket above 1 MW |
| biomethane plant up to 1 MW (converted to electrical capacity) | Chapter 4a or market sale and NCW |
| biomethane plant above 1 MW | market sale, NCW, guarantees of origin; biomethane auctions only in preparation |
Regulatory risks
- European Commission decision on state aid. For some mechanisms the Act ties decisions after 2021 to a positive decision of the Commission; the schedule of auctions and applications depends on obtaining it.
- Certificate deadlines. A URE certificate for FIT/FIP can be obtained only until the specified dates (30 June 2027, after the EC decision — 31 December 2027).
- Change of thresholds. The move from the 400 kW threshold to 200 kW from 2026 changes the situation of installations with capacity between these values.
- Undertakings in difficulty. Excluded from FIT/FIP within the meaning of EU state aid rules.
- For old installations. The support period for installations up to 1 MW that held certificates of origin for at least 5 years cannot exceed 17 years from the first production confirmed by a certificate.
This text is for information only and does not constitute legal advice; before an investment or formal decision, check the current wording of the legislation and consult a lawyer or the relevant authority.
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