PLN 7.8 billion for green investments. The Minister of Climate presented plans by the end of 2020

Minister Kurtyka noted that “Poland’s ambition is to make green investments a pillar of change” in building a modern economy.

“This year alone, the Ministry of Climate (…) will allocate PLN 7.8 billion to facilitate green investments. The funds will be allocated to the implementation of projects related to energy transformation, improvement of air quality, thermal modernization of buildings, development of electromobility, investments in renewable energy micro-installations or solutions related to mitigating the effects of drought. – wrote Kurtyka in an article for the EURACTIV portal.

He emphasized that investments in the energy sector, in particular in renewable energy, are desirable both in Poland and throughout the EU, because they can significantly impact the recovery of economies after the coronavirus pandemic.

He recalled that Poland supports the development of renewable energy sources in the form of an auction system. Since 2016, capacity has been contracted – a total of 1.7 GW in photovoltaic installations and approximately 3.4 GW in wind farms. Total support during this period amounted to over PLN 38 billion, of which PLN 37 billion was allocated to new installations.

The auctions planned for this year are expected to generate over 2.4 GW of power from new, green energy sources, of which 800 MW will be generated from wind energy and 1.5 GW from solar energy.

“This fact puts Poland first in the EU in terms of the total area of ​​onshore wind farm construction” – wrote Kurtyka.

In his opinion, it will be crucial for Poland to replace coal-fired power plants with zero-emission sources (onshore and offshore wind energy, photovoltaics) and low-emission sources (such as natural gas or nuclear energy) while maintaining energy security.

Kurtyka emphasized that Poland needs green investments as a factor driving the economy, conducive to the creation of new jobs and strengthening the competitive advantage of Polish enterprises.

Noting that Poland supports the EU’s ambition to achieve climate neutrality throughout the Union by 2050, he noted that Poland’s recognition of this commitment as a national goal depends on the availability of financing for the energy transformation, social acceptance and the ability to ensure the competitiveness of Polish industry.

He also recalled that Poland accepts the Reconstruction Fund proposed by the European Commission, estimated at EUR 750 billion, the purpose of which is, among others, facilitating economic growth based on green investments.

“From the point of view of the energy sector transformation, increasing the Just Transition Fund from EUR 7.5 to EUR 40 billion will play a key role, as Poland will become one of the key beneficiaries.” – wrote the minister.