Opinions on cogeneration units – new COCH authorisations

Opinions on cogeneration units – accredited services available at COCH

The COCH Certification Department obtained accreditation to issue opinions on applications and reports of enterprises applying for premiums under the Act of 14 December 2018 on promoting electricity from high-efficiency cogeneration. Our offer now includes:

- ON ENTERING THE SUPPORT SCHEME: Issuing an opinion confirming that a renewable energy installation should be recognised as generating electricity in high-efficiency cogeneration for a producer using support schemes under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (for the application to enter the scheme).

and

- ANNUAL OPINION: Issuing opinions for producers of electricity from high-efficiency cogeneration enabling use of support schemes under the Act on promoting electricity from high-efficiency cogeneration, including in particular opinions based on an on-site examination at the producer’s cogeneration unit, confirming correctness of data in the report and the validity of the support payment application for electricity generated in the previous calendar year (for the annual report).

Cogeneration is the simultaneous generation of electricity and heat in one process (combined generation). It is considered a means of safely transforming the economy to be more environmentally friendly. Cogeneration in CHP plants uses less fuel than separate generation of heat in a heating plant and electricity in a power plant, reducing CO₂ and other emissions and improving energy efficiency. Since early 2019 Poland has operated a new support system for electricity from high-efficiency cogeneration, introduced by the Act of 14 December 2018. The system is based on premiums and prices set by the Ministry of Energy and requires verification of information used to grant cogeneration premiums. Such opinions may only be prepared by accredited bodies employing staff with appropriate technical qualifications in cogeneration and guaranteeing independence. The list of bodies is available on the Energy Regulatory Office and PCA websites. Our Certification Department has been one of the authorised bodies for this service since October this year.

Opinions on RES generation units operating in cogenerationLearn more about the opinion service for RES cogeneration units