Orlen Solar Park in Kotla (Lower Silesia, Poland) – 170 MW on 200 hectares for 100,000 households | Park Słoneczny

### Poland's solar giant: 280 football fields generate electricity for 100,000 households ### The end of the coal era? How Poland is achieving the energy transition with mega-solar parks ### From coal-fired country to solar champion: Poland's incredible energy revolution ### Historic turning point: Why this massive solar project in Poland is changing everything ###

170 megawatts of clean energy: How Poland's energy giant Orlen wants to replace coal

Poland, once the heart of the European coal industry, is undergoing one of the fastest and most impressive energy transitions on the continent. A new flagship project of this transformation is now being built in Lower Silesia: the Orlen Solar Farm in the municipality of Kotla. With a planned capacity of up to 170 megawatts on an area of ​​200 hectares—equivalent to approximately 280 football fields—the facility will be one of the largest photovoltaic plants in the country upon its completion at the end of 2025 and is expected to supply enough clean electricity for around 100,000 households.

This project is far more than just another power plant; it is a powerful symbol of Poland's rapid rise to solar power. In just a decade, the country has explosively expanded its photovoltaic capacity, becoming one of the leading solar markets in Europe. This transformation recently culminated in a historic milestone, when renewable energy overtook coal as the country's primary source of electricity for the first time.

Behind the Kotla project is the Orlen Group, a national energy giant that is consistently driving forward its strategic reorientation from fossil fuels to green energy. The acquisition and further development of the farm not only demonstrates the growing expertise of Polish companies in implementing large-scale projects, but also underscores the ambition to strengthen national and European energy security through locally generated, clean energy. The solar farm in Kotla is thus a crucial building block in Poland's impressive journey towards decarbonization and a pioneering example for the future of energy generation in Central Europe.

The Orlen Solar Farm in Kotla: A flagship project of the Polish energy transition

The Orlen Solar Farm in the municipality of Kotla in Lower Silesia represents a groundbreaking project in the context of Poland's energy transition. With a planned output of 130 megawatts and a potential expansion to 170 megawatts, this photovoltaic plant is developing into one of the most significant solar projects in the country. Completion is scheduled for the end of 2025, making the project a key component of Poland's decarbonization strategy.

The farm will be built on an area of ​​200 hectares in the Kotla municipality, Głogów County, and symbolizes Poland's rapid transformation from a coal-dependent energy system to sustainable renewable energy sources. The project is part of the Orlen Group's broader efforts to strengthen its position as a leading energy company in Poland while driving the transition to clean energy.

Project takeover and development history

The Kotla project has a remarkable development history, highlighting the international dimension of Poland's energy transition. The solar farm was originally developed by the British company Lightsource bp, a global leader in solar energy development and management. Lightsource bp entered the Polish market in 2021 with a comprehensive 757-megawatt development contract, representing a total investment of up to €500 million.

The strategic transfer of the project from Lightsource bp to Energa Wytwarzanie, an Orlen Group company, underscores the increasing role of Polish energy companies in the implementation of large-scale solar projects. This acquisition is part of the Orlen Group's broader strategy to significantly expand its renewable energy portfolio, leveraging both technical expertise and local market knowledge.

Energa Wytwarzanie, a specialized power generation company within the Orlen Group, already brings extensive experience in the field of renewable energy. The company already operates several wind farms with a combined capacity of approximately 244 megawatts and has 15 years of experience in the maintenance and operation of onshore renewable energy facilities.

Technical specifications and performance parameters

The planned solar farm in Kotla will be equipped with state-of-the-art photovoltaic technology. The plant is expected to have an installed capacity of 130 megawatts, with the technical feasibility of later expansion to 170 megawatts. This flexibility in sizing will enable the operator to respond to future market conditions and energy demand trends.

The dimensions of the project are impressive: The facility covers a total area of ​​200 hectares, equivalent to approximately 280 football fields. When its 170-megawatt capacity is fully utilized, the farm is expected to generate enough clean electricity to supply approximately 85,000 to 100,000 households. Annual energy production will amount to several hundred gigawatt hours, representing a significant contribution to Poland's energy supply.

The technology used meets the most modern standards in the photovoltaic industry. As with comparable large-scale projects in Poland, highly efficient solar modules are expected to be used, ensuring optimal energy yield in a variety of weather conditions. Integration into the Polish power grid will be achieved via modern grid connections, enabling stable feed-in even under fluctuating production conditions.

Regional embedding in Lower Silesia

The choice of Lower Silesia for the Kotla project is a strategic one. This region has become a central hub of Polish photovoltaic development and offers optimal conditions for large-scale solar parks. Its geographical location offers excellent solar irradiation and the necessary infrastructure for connecting large-scale energy generation plants to the grid.

Lower Silesia benefits from its proximity to Germany and the Czech Republic, facilitating both technology transfer and potential cross-border energy trade. The region boasts a well-developed infrastructure and a skilled workforce, which are necessary for the implementation and operation of complex energy projects.

The Kotla project is one of a series of significant solar investments in the region. Parallel to this, the even larger 303-megawatt VSB solar park is being built northeast of Wrocław, potentially the largest photovoltaic plant in Poland. This concentration of large-scale projects is transforming Lower Silesia into one of the most important solar centers in Central Europe.

Economic framework and financing

The financing and economic viability of the Kotla project are based on the favorable market conditions for renewable energy in Poland. In recent years, the country has established a comprehensive solar energy support system that supports both small rooftop systems and large ground-mounted projects.

Poland uses various financing mechanisms to promote renewable energy, including the proven system of Contracts for Difference (CfD) contracts, which offer long-term price security. These CfD contracts guarantee project developers a fixed remuneration for a period of up to 25 years, thus creating the necessary planning security for large-scale investments.

The Polish Energy Regulatory Authority (URE) regularly conducts auctions in which project developers compete for state subsidies. This tendering system has proven to be an effective tool for both keeping costs low for consumers and promoting the expansion of renewable energy in a cost-efficient manner.

Falling photovoltaic technology costs have significantly improved the economics of projects like Kotla. Solar energy is now considered the most cost-effective form of electricity generation in history, enabling Poland to decarbonize economically and efficiently while creating jobs and building a domestic green economy.

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At the heart of this technological advancement is the deliberate departure from conventional clamp fastening, which has been the standard for decades. The new, more time- and cost-effective mounting system addresses this with a fundamentally different, more intelligent concept. Instead of clamping the modules at specific points, they are inserted into a continuous, specially shaped support rail and held securely. This design ensures that all forces occurring—be they static loads from snow or dynamic loads from wind—are evenly distributed across the entire length of the module frame.

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The Orlen Group as an energy transition player

The acquisition of the Kotla project by Energa Wytwarzanie fits seamlessly into the Orlen Group's comprehensive strategy to position itself as a leading player in Poland's energy transition. The Orlen Group already has an installed capacity of nearly one gigawatt of renewable energy sources and is continuously investing in expanding its green portfolio.

The company already operates several successful renewable energy projects, including onshore wind farms in Wielkopolska and West Pomerania with a total capacity of approximately 60 megawatts. In addition to its onshore projects, Orlen is investing heavily in the construction of the first offshore wind farm in the Polish part of the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Power project, with a capacity of up to 1.2 gigawatts, represents the largest investment in renewable energy in Central and Eastern Europe.

Energa Wytwarzanie plans further significant expansions of its solar portfolio. In addition to Kotla, the company is developing additional projects such as PV Mitra with 65 megawatts and PV Żuki with 2.4 megawatts. This systematic expansion demonstrates the Orlen Group's commitment to a comprehensive transformation towards sustainable energy generation.

Poland's solar energy revolution in the European context

The Kotla project is part of a remarkable transformation of the Polish energy system that is attracting international attention. In just a few years, Poland has transformed from one of Europe's most coal-dependent countries into one of the most dynamic solar energy markets. With an installed photovoltaic capacity of over 21 gigawatts by the end of 2024 and ambitious plans to reach 40 gigawatts by 2030, Poland is positioning itself as a European solar giant.

The growth rate of Polish photovoltaics is exceptional. The country recorded an average annual growth rate of 89 percent between 2014 and 2023, doubling its solar capacity almost every year. This explosive development makes Poland the growth champion among European countries with the highest solar capacities.

In a European comparison, Poland already ranks fourth in annual photovoltaic expansion, behind Germany, Spain, and Italy. Particularly noteworthy is that in June 2025, renewable energies overtook coal as the most important electricity source in Poland for the first time, reaching 44.1 percent of the electricity mix, while coal fell back to 43.7 percent.

Technological innovation and future prospects

The Kotla project represents not only the current state of photovoltaic technology, but also the future vision of the Polish energy industry. The planned modular expansion option from 130 to 170 megawatts demonstrates the flexibility of modern solar parks and their adaptability to changing market conditions.

Modern large-scale solar parks like Kotla are increasingly using smart technologies to optimize energy production. These include advanced tracking systems that adjust solar modules to the position of the sun, as well as integrated weather forecasting systems that enable precise production planning. Integration into smart grid systems allows for dynamic adjustment of feed-in to grid requirements.

The future development of projects like Kotla will also be shaped by the integration of energy storage technologies. Battery storage can compensate for fluctuations in solar power generation and ensure a more continuous power supply. Poland is already planning the first combined photovoltaic and battery storage projects, which could serve as a model for future hybrid energy systems.

Environmental impacts and sustainability aspects

The environmental benefits of the Kotla project are significant and contribute significantly to Poland's climate goals. At full capacity, the 170-megawatt plant will avoid several hundred thousand tons of CO2 emissions annually that would otherwise have been generated by the combustion of fossil fuels. This emission reduction is equivalent to the decommissioning of several smaller coal-fired power plants.

The solar farm also contributes to improving local environmental quality. Unlike conventional power plants, it produces no air pollutants, no noise, and requires no cooling water systems. Some of the land used can continue to be used for agricultural purposes, a process known as agri-photovoltaics, which enables dual land use.

In the long term, the project plays an important role in reducing Poland's dependence on energy imports. Poland currently still imports significant amounts of fossil fuels. Every megawatt-hour of clean, locally generated solar energy contributes to the country's energy security and reduces vulnerability to volatile international energy markets.

Socioeconomic impacts on the region

The Kotla project will bring significant socioeconomic benefits to the Lower Silesia region. During the construction phase, temporary jobs will be created for specialists in various fields, from the construction industry to electrical engineering and project management. After completion, the operation of the facility will require permanent jobs for maintenance, monitoring, and administration.

Local communities benefit from tax revenues and lease fees for the land used. This additional revenue can be used to improve local infrastructure, educational institutions, and public services. Experience from other Polish solar parks shows that such projects often lead to a noticeable boost to the regional economy.

The project also contributes to strengthening the local supply chain. Polish companies can act as suppliers of components, installation work, and maintenance services. This promotes the development of a domestic solar industry and creates long-term added value in the country.

Challenges and risk factors

Despite the positive outlook, the Kotla project faces several challenges. A key difficulty lies in the integration of large-scale solar capacity into the existing power grid. The Polish transmission grid was originally designed for large-scale centralized power plants and needs to be modernized to accommodate decentralized feed-in of renewable energy.

The volatility of solar power generation presents another challenge. On sunny days, large solar parks like Kotla can produce significant amounts of electricity, while generation is significantly reduced on cloudy days or during the night. This requires flexible backup capacity or storage solutions to ensure a stable power supply.

Regulatory changes may also impact the long-term economic viability of the project. Although Poland currently maintains a stable support system for renewable energy, political priorities can change. The project therefore relies on a consistent and long-term energy policy.

Comparison with other European solar projects

Compared to other European countries, the Kotla project is a significant, albeit not the largest, solar project. Germany, the European market leader in installed photovoltaic capacity, has individual solar parks with similar or larger capacities. Spain and Italy, also among the leading solar markets, have already implemented several gigawatt-class projects.

What makes the Kotla project particularly special, however, is its contribution to the rapid transformation of the Polish energy system. While other European countries already have decades of experience with renewable energy, Poland is completing its transition from coal to solar power in a remarkably short time.

The project's technical standards and quality requirements meet the highest European standards. The involvement of international partners such as Lightsource bp in the initial development contributed to the transfer of proven international practices and technologies to Poland.

Future prospects and expansion potential

The long-term prospects for the Kotla project are promising. The planned expansion option to 170 megawatts offers flexibility for future market developments. If demand for clean energy continues to rise or technological possibilities improve, the plant can be expanded accordingly.

Poland is planning a further massive expansion of solar energy with the goal of reaching an installed capacity of 40 gigawatts by 2030. In this context, the Kotla project could serve as a starting point for further developments in the region. The accumulated experience and established infrastructure could facilitate the realization of additional projects in the surrounding area.

The integration of storage technologies offers additional growth opportunities. Battery storage can not only improve grid stability but also enable new business models, such as the provision of balancing energy or smoothing electricity price fluctuations.

Meaning for European energy security

The Kotla project contributes not only to Polish but also to European energy security. Poland is increasingly acting as an important component of the European energy transition and can strengthen its role as a regional energy supplier through the expansion of renewable energies.

Poland's geographical location makes it a strategically important hub for European energy trade. Surplus solar power from projects like Kotla could be exported to neighboring countries via European power grids in the future, contributing to the integration of European energy markets.

Diversifying European energy sources through projects like Kotla reduces dependence on energy imports from unstable regions. This strengthens Europe's strategic autonomy and contributes to the continent's long-term energy security.

The Kotla project thus exemplifies the transformation of the European energy landscape and demonstrates how ambitious national projects can contribute to broader European goals of sustainability and energy security. As part of the Polish energy transition and the European decarbonization strategy, this solar farm will make an important contribution to shaping a sustainable energy future.

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The heart of ModuRack 's innovation is its departure from conventional clamp fastening. Instead of clamps, the modules are inserted and held in place by a continuous support rail.

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