Strategic Assessment of the Environmental Impact of Ski Resorts as Part of the Polish Energy Policy Project

Abstract

The dilemma of choosing between conventional energy and renewable energy sources is a topic of discussion in various economic and social sectors. This problem is not only a matter of the country’s energy security but is also an important element of sustainable development that affects the functioning of future generations. The analysis of this process must cover all aspects of operation, with particular emphasis on tourism, including ski resorts. The aim of the work is to assess the current state of ski infrastructure in terms of the possibility of using green energy to power these types of devices, with an indication of the profitability of implementing this project. This analysis will cover the types of renewable energy sources and how they are used in winter sports resorts around the world, whilst additionally focusing on the energy structure of Poland and the European Union, as well as on energy transformation plans in Poland. An important aspect of this analysis is to understand the barriers to the development of the unconventional energy sector and the ski resorts themselves. The impact of ski resorts on the natural environment was also examined. When analyzing the profitability of introducing green energy to power ski slopes, the costs of traditional energy sources in a Polish ski resort were analyzed. The benefits of introducing green energy were indicated by comparing SWOT analyses of the Polish coal sector with renewable energy sources. In the economic context, the profitability of the proposed renewable energy installation was presented, using the NPV, IRR and payback period methods. The analysis of the cost structure of traditional energy sources allowed for the identification of a potential investment in renewable energy technologies, showing the share of electricity costs in the structure of energy carriers used on the ski slope. As a result, the profitability of the installation project was indicated as photovoltaic with specific power and parameters. Although the presented considerations refer to the realities and legal regulations applicable in one of the selected European Union countries—Poland, a country where energy from photovoltaic panels is developing the fastest among all renewable energy sectors in Europe—these considerations can be used in practice to indicate further directions and development prospects for other regions of the world. At the same time, the content of the considerations creates the basis for further development of research on these processes in order to popularize Poland’s energy policy.