Słupsk Bioenergy Cluster: a new paradigm for a local circular economy in renewable energy and waste recycling in Poland

The Słupsk Bioenergy Cluster, managed by Słupsk Waterworks, integrates wastewater treatment, biogas generation, and waste recycling to provide stable, low-cost renewable energy to local businesses and facilities. By utilizing a self-sufficient distribution network to bypass coal-based energy suppliers, the cluster demonstrates a decentralized approach to the circular economy. Key outputs include the BIOTOP phosphorus-rich fertilizer and a renewable energy sharing system linking 20 businesses and city facilities. The document argues that national policy changes and faster implementation of EU directives are necessary to scale such models and overcome barriers posed by traditional energy companies.

• The Słupsk Bioenergy Cluster was established in October 2017 with 19 founding members, consisting of both energy generators and users who are also waste producers.
• To overcome the refusal of coal-based energy suppliers to allow the use of their transmission lines, the Cluster designed a self-sufficient electricity grid to supply its members.
• By 2020, the Cluster's energy distribution system is expected to link 20 businesses and city facilities, serving 40,000 electricity users and 120,000 wastewater customers.
• Słupsk Waterworks produces BIOTOP, a phosphorus-rich fertilizer (3% as P2O5) from composted sludge, which is used by large agricultural businesses in Słupsk County to create a closed-loop nutrient system.
• The Słupsk wastewater treatment plant is among the most cost-efficient in Poland, ranking as the third cheapest to operate among the country's 47 largest plants.
• The Polish Ministry of Energy has twice designated the Słupsk Bioenergy Cluster as a national model.
• Scaling such decentralized systems requires national policy changes to improve renewable energy market access and the faster implementation of EU regulations, such as the "RED II" directive (2018/2001) and the "Winter Package".

APA

Rasmussen, M., Giełczewski, M., Wójtowicz, A., Barquet, K., & Rosemarin, A. (2020). Słupsk Bioenergy Cluster: a new paradigm for a local circular economy in renewable energy and waste recycling in Poland. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/bonusreturn-policybrief2020-poland-eng.pdf

Chicago

Rasmussen, Mark, Marek Giełczewski, Andrzej Wójtowicz, Karina Barquet, and Arno Rosemarin. Słupsk Bioenergy Cluster: a new paradigm for a local circular economy in renewable energy and waste recycling in Poland. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2020. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/bonusreturn-policybrief2020-poland-eng.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Rasmussen |first1=Mark |last2=Giełczewski |first2=Marek |last3=Wójtowicz |first3=Andrzej |last4=Barquet |first4=Karina |last5=Rosemarin |first5=Arno |title=Słupsk Bioenergy Cluster: a new paradigm for a local circular economy in renewable energy and waste recycling in Poland |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=February 2020 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/bonusreturn-policybrief2020-poland-eng.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rasmussen2020supsk, author = {Rasmussen, Mark and Giełczewski, Marek and Wójtowicz, Andrzej and Barquet, Karina and Rosemarin, Arno}, title = {{Słupsk Bioenergy Cluster: a new paradigm for a local circular economy in renewable energy and waste recycling in Poland}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2020}, month = feb, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/bonusreturn-policybrief2020-poland-eng.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }