A Perspective of Small Hydropower in Energy Transitions in Poland

The article's subject matter deals with the issue of renewable energy potential and the related issue of energy transition in Poland. The article presents an outline of the issues related to the development of small hydropower plants (SHPs) in Poland against the background of the development of renewable energy. The main purpose of the paper is to demonstrate areas where opportunities and threats are considered for development in this area of RES in Poland. The article uses both secondary and primary sources of information, including the results of empirical research conducted with the Foresight method. The experts indicated, among the others: main problem areas for the development of small hydropower in Poland. The operation of small hydropower plants in Poland does not and will not serve as a basis in the power system. This is mainly due to natural conditions. Nevertheless, it can be an important element in the energy mix, especially from the point of view of energy security at the local level. Small hydropower plants are consistent with the assumptions regarding the development of distributed energy in Poland, including the development of national resources of renewable sources in the energy sector.

本文以波兰可再生能源潜力及其关联的能源转型问题为研究主题。在可再生能源发展的整体背景下，本文梳理了波兰小型水电站（Small Hydropower Plants, SHPs）发展相关的各类核心议题。本文的核心研究目的在于，明确波兰可再生能源（Renewable Energy Sources, RES）领域内，小型水电开发所面临机遇与威胁并存的具体区域。

本文同时采用二手资料与一手调研数据作为信息来源，其中包含运用前瞻法（Foresight method）开展的实证研究成果。除其他相关内容外，专家团队还指明了波兰小型水电开发的核心问题领域。

当前及未来一段时期内，波兰小型水电站的运营均无法作为该国电力系统的基础支撑，这主要受制于自然条件限制。尽管如此，小型水电站仍可成为国家能源结构中的重要组成部分，尤其在地方层面的能源安全保障维度上具备显著价值。此外，小型水电站的发展理念与波兰分布式能源发展的规划方向相符，也契合该国能源领域可再生能源本土资源开发的整体战略。