Poland’s competition and consumer protection authority has imposed more than PLN 7 million (approximately €1.6 million) in fines on companies operating in the renewable energy sector, citing misleading sales practices and unfair contractual terms that harmed consumers investing in clean energy solutions.
The sanctions were issued by the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK), whose president, Tomasz Chróstny, emphasized that while renewable energy installations are marketed as a pathway to lower energy bills and environmental protection, some companies have relied on pressure tactics and opaque agreements.
“Renewable energy installations require consumers to invest tens of thousands of złoty, and businesses must take full responsibility not only for product quality but also for fair sales practices and transparent contract terms,” Chróstny stated. He added that it is unacceptable to sell photovoltaic systems “through fear and pressure” or to draft agreements in a way that shifts risks and costs disproportionately onto consumers.
The authority found that Polska Energia Grupa Kapitałowa used advertising materials designed to resemble official government correspondence. These communications, delivered to households, featured formal language and visual elements typically associated with public institutions, potentially misleading recipients into believing they were receiving mandatory or official notices rather than commercial offers. The messaging was further reinforced by claims of dramatic and allegedly unavoidable electricity price increases, which were not supported by reliable data or proper context.
In a separate finding, Energia dla Pokoleń was sanctioned for including contractual clauses that could restrict consumers’ ability to enforce their rights. The regulator highlighted vague terms such as “adverse weather conditions,” which could be used to justify delays in installation without clear accountability. The contracts also contained provisions that undermined assurances given during the sales process, including disclaimers that the company did not guarantee specific levels of energy production or financial savings, despite earlier representations.
The authority also raised concerns about the contractual practices of Nasz Prąd, which remain under investigation. Among the issues identified was a clause allowing the company to charge consumers significant fees if installation could not proceed as scheduled, including penalties of up to PLN 1,000 (approximately €230) per day if a property was deemed unprepared, without clearly defining what such preparedness entailed.
In total, fines amounting to PLN 7,033,289 (approximately €1.6 million) were imposed on the companies, alongside nearly PLN 400,000 (approximately €90,000) in penalties directed at individual managers. Energia dla Pokoleń received the largest fine, exceeding PLN 6.1 million (approximately €1.4 million), while Polska Energia Grupa Kapitałowa was fined just over PLN 900,000 (approximately €210,000). The decisions are not yet final and have been appealed.
The case forms part of a broader enforcement effort targeting irregularities in Poland’s rapidly expanding renewable energy market. As consumer demand for solar panels and heat pumps grows, the authority has signaled its intention to closely monitor the sector to ensure that the transition to clean energy is not undermined by unfair or deceptive business practices.