“The Ministry of Environment has prepared a number of comprehensive programmes in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy, providing billions of złotys for energy investments. We are doing it in a fully ecological and conscious manner. We want to finally resolve the issue of energy poverty in some areas and at the same time contribute to savings in the budgets of households and local governments,” said Minister Kowalczyk.

“The programmes presented today constitute another step towards investment in renewable energy sources and thus, cleaner air. We promised investments in green energy and we kept our word. Most importantly, these funds will be available not only to companies and residents of cities, but also farmers in rural areas,” he added.

Minister Tchórzewski highlighted that the presented programmes are in line with the consistent efforts of the entire Polish government to improve air quality in Poland and to develop renewable energy sources. “I believe that, like the amended RES Act adopted by the government on 25 June this year, as well as the Act on Promotion of Electricity from High Efficiency Cogeneration, which has been in force since January this year, the programmes prepared by the Ministry of Energy will help Poland in achieving the 15% share of energy from renewable sources in its gross final energy consumption by 2020, required by the European Union, as well as significantly contribute to the improvement of the quality of air that Poles breathe,” Minister Tchórzewski added.

Minister Tchórzewski also believes that the development of prosumer dispersed energy sector is also extremely important for the energy security of Poland. “The activities of both our ministries are intertwined, thus creating an efficient mechanism ensuring stable supply of green energy, as well as cleaner air,” the minister summed up.

About the priority programmes of the National Found for Environmental Protection and Water Management

Energia Plus (Energy Plus) Ciepłownictwo Powiatowe- pilotaż (District Heating - Pilot Programme)

Both programmes are aimed at reducing the negative impact of companies on environment, including improving air quality by supporting investment projects pursuing limiting or curbing harmful emissions to the atmosphere (both linked to burning fuels, as well as other industrial activities), lowering use of primary raw materials, projects aimed at improving energy efficiency, finding new heat and power sources, overhauling and expanding district heating networks and the use of geothermal resources for generating energy.

The budgets of the Energia Plus and Ciepłownictwo Powiatowe – pilotaż constitute 4 billion złotys and 500 million złotys, respectively. The first of the programmes is addressed to entrepreneurs and meets the identified market needs of Polish industry, resulting from the legal regulations, the ever-increasing emission standards and general needs pertaining to the development of business activity with respect to the principles of sustainable development. On the other hand, the Ciepłownictwo Powiatowe pilot programme is offered to entrepreneurs producing heat for municipal and household use, whose majority shareholder is a local government body (at least 70%).

More information about the Energia Plus programme

More information about the Ciepłownictwo Powiatowe pilot programme

Poolska Geotermia Plus Programme (Polish Geothermal Energy Plus)

The main objective of the programme is to increase the use of geothermal resources in Poland. The programme offers support for projects related to the construction of new or expansion and modernisation of an existing geothermal heating/cogeneration/power plant based on a geothermal spring, modernisation or expansion of existing energy generation sources by a geothermal heating/cogeneration/power plant based on a geothermal spring, as well as digging or rebuilding a geothermal bore hole, with the exception of  the first exploratory bore hole. Optional support may also include modernisation of district heating networks, as well as investments aimed at improving energy efficiency, renewable energy installations and drilling the first exploratory bore holes.

The total budget of the programme, addressed to entrepreneurs, amounts to 600 million złotys.

More information about the Polska Geotermia Plus programme