ZPIs allow for more effective coordination between municipalities and private investors while relieving local authorities of the financial burden of preparing full-scale zoning plans. A notable feature of ZPIs is the obligation to deliver complementary infrastructure, which provides tangible benefits to local communities.
Under this framework, the plan is adopted by a municipal council at the investor’s request, following mutual agreements finalized in an urban planning agreement. Several renewable energy ZPIs have already been implemented in the Lublin and Lower Silesia regions, with further plans currently underway. A similar initiative is now being realized in the Greater Poland region.
Łobżenica: A Pioneer in Greater Poland
On March 31, 2025, the City Council of Łobżenica adopted an Integrated Investment Plan (ZPI) at the request of Volta Polska, opening the path for a large-scale solar project within the municipality. This marked the final step in a multi-stage planning process, supported by landowners, local authorities, and key partners — most notably Mr. Michał Konera of EnronOne, who played a central role in negotiations with the municipality. We express our sincere gratitude for his invaluable efforts.
A key milestone in the process was the signing of the urban planning agreement on February 26, 2025, between Mr. Stephan Rauber, CEO of Volta Polska, and Mr. Robert Biskupiak, Mayor of Łobżenica.
Investment scope and strategic potential
The Łobżenica Integrated Investment Plan (ZPI) encompasses approximately 54 hectares, facilitating the development of solar power plants with a total capacity of up to 40 MWp. This initiative directly supports national and EU energy transition objectives, significantly enhancing Poland’s renewable energy portfolio.
The agreement was meticulously crafted in partnership with CCLaw, a prestigious Warsaw-based law firm renowned for its specialized legal advisory services in the energy and infrastructure sectors.
Volta Polska has signaled a continued strategic partnership with Łobżenica for future spatial planning, encompassing the innovative development of a ZPI for a wind farm—a first-of-its-kind initiative in Poland, as prior ZPIs have primarily targeted solar and infrastructure investments.
A Blueprint for Municipal Innovation
The Łobżenica example demonstrates how the ZPI framework could serve other Polish municipalities seeking to expand renewable energy infrastructure, effectively aligning the goals of investors and local communities through legally structured, transparent collaboration.
Despite their relative novelty, ZPIs are increasingly recognized as a valuable tool. Poland’s Ministry of Development and Technology is actively pursuing regulatory enhancements to optimize and broaden their application in the years ahead.
Elżbieta Czarnecka
Senior Project Manager
– RES
+48 572 293 403
eczarnecka@voltapolska.pl
Municipality of Łobżenica
Łobżenica, nestled in the Greater Poland Voivodeship, extends across 190 km² and is inhabited by close to 10,000 people. Characterized by a scenic landscape, the municipality blends expansive agricultural lands, which constitute about 70% of its area, with dense forests covering approximately 20%, and a multitude of serene lakes. Łobżenica, a town steeped in over 700 years of history, functions as the municipal seat and accommodates nearly one-third of the region’s residents.
Volta Polska
Volta Polska operates as an independent producer of renewable energy. The assets of the Volta Group are managed to align with its long-term strategic vision and investment horizon. Volta’s investment philosophy is built on the core principles of quality and sustainability.
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