The Energy Potential of the Lower Vistula River in the Context of the Adaptation of Polish Inland Waterways to the Standards of Routes of International Importance

Abstract

Based on new policies of the European Union, green technologies are to be mostly considered for power generation. Hydropower generation is one of the essential elements of sustainable energy production. Therefore, specific attention, both economically and technically, needs to be given to this sector of energy production. The Vistula River in Poland is considered an international waterway. The power production potential of the river has been taken into account over the years. However, further configurations are needed to obtain a more in-depth ecological knowledge-base and economic plans, which are socially approved. In an attempt to make the project environmentally friendly, specific attention was put into sustainable transport. Different methods of transport were researched to find the most renewable transport combination, mainly based on waterways. Having performed a cost–benefit analysis related to the economic aspects of the project, it was found that such an investment is highly profitable (B/C = 2.81).

An Eco-Study for a Feasible Project: “Torun and Its Vistula Stretch—An Important Green Navigation Spot on a Blue Inland Waterway”

“…There are also many plans for developing the Lower Vistula (including its Torunian stretch), which should become a navigation link (through the E40 and E70 international European waterways represented in Figure 1) to the rest of Europe [66], along with the potential reactivation of the Lower Vistula Cascade (LVC) project [33,34]. Scientists showed that this transport project of adapting the Lower Vistula River to the International Standards of Waterway Routes will create a 177-181% profit surplus over costs (63.2%-investment costs and 36.8%-maintenance and operation costs), 41.1% of which will be transport profits connected to the environmental protection (reducing the atmosphere pollution, climate change effects, noise congestion etc.)…”

“…Scientists showed that this transport project of adapting the Lower Vistula River to the International Standards of Waterway Routes will create a 177-181% profit surplus over costs (63.2%-investment costs and 36.8%-maintenance and operation costs), 41.1% of which will be transport profits connected to the environmental protection (reducing the atmosphere pollution, climate change effects, noise congestion etc.) [66]. A total of 19.6% of the profit will come from the anti-flood enactments of the project, with 0.1% from the drought anti-losses measures.…”

“…A total of 19.6% of the profit will come from the anti-flood enactments of the project, with 0.1% from the drought anti-losses measures. The project tourism stimulation will contribute with 8.7% to the general profit, the electricity generated by the new hydroelectric power plants along the Lower Vistula will bring 6.6% to the benefits, together with 3.2% justified by the CO 2 emission reduction, and the protection against forest fires will provide 5.1% to the project output [66]. The final profit (15.7%) will be induced by the economic residual value.…”

Sustainable development of inland waterways transport: a review

“…Finally, the adoption of greener solutions, such as promoting the use of renewable energies instead of fossil fuels (for cranes, fleets, and other port requirements), added to water management plans that take into consideration ecological conditions should be a priority among policymakers worldwide (Woś et al 2022).…”

“…Moreover, according to Gołȩbiowski (2016), external costs related to IWT are 19 euros less per 1000 ton-km compared to road. In fact, in Poland, Woś et al (2022) assessed different means of transportation, and the cost-benefit analysis concluded that waterways base model investment is profitable using the Vistula River and stands out savings in costs related to cargo, accidents, congestion, pollution, emissions, among others.…”