Obtaining Polish white certificates is an excellent opportunity for completed energy-efficiency investments to generate an additional financial return. The process, however, requires proper formal preparation, including assembling specific documents. If you plan to apply for Polish white certificates, this article will help you identify exactly what you need to prepare.
Energy efficiency audit – the core document
The key document required when applying for Polish white certificates is an energy efficiency audit. The audit must be prepared before implementation of the modernisation measure begins and must contain detailed information on the scope of the planned investment, the technology and the projected energy savings. It should also describe the calculation and measurement methodology. It is important that the audit be prepared by a suitably qualified expert in accordance with Poland’s Energy Efficiency Act.
Application for an energy efficiency certificate and supporting documents
To apply for Polish white certificates, a formal application must be submitted to the President of the Polish Energy Regulatory Office (URE). The application should include the applicant’s identification details, a description of the project, its location and the estimated energy savings. It must be accompanied by the energy efficiency audit mentioned above and a declaration that the data and information contained in the application are true and that the applicant is not subject to the restrictions specified in Poland’s Energy Efficiency Act.
What about documents confirming implementation of the investment?
The application for an energy efficiency certificate must be submitted to the President of URE before the investment begins. Under URE’s interpretation, an investment begins when a contract is signed with a contractor, an order is placed with a contractor or materials are purchased, making the project irreversible. For projects with savings of more than 100 toe, an ex-post energy efficiency audit is required to confirm the actual energy savings after the investment has been completed. This audit contains measurement data for the reference period after the modernised installation has been commissioned. Once the modernisation is complete, a notice of completion must be submitted to URE together with the ex-post audit and documentation confirming implementation of the investment (e.g. works acceptance records). If the application is complete, URE informs the Polish Power Exchange (TGE) within 30 days that the certificates have been issued; in practice, unfortunately, this takes much longer.
Obtaining Polish white certificates requires careful preparation and complete documentation. It is worth taking care at every stage to improve the chances of a successful application.
