On Thursday, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki presented the Solidarity Shield. This project is to protect Polish families and enterprises from several rises in prices in 2023.

“Poles must have a sense of security and we guarantee it by means of specific solutions. They include the introduction of, inter alia, anti-inflation shield, inflation allowances, reduced VAT rates. The Solidarity Shield is another support to ensure that large families and persons with disabilities do not suffer the negative effects of a rise in energy prices” - said Minister Marlena Maląg.

Guaranteed price of electricity

The Shield is to protect Poles from the rapid rises in prices which we already experience today. Also citizens in all EU countries have to struggle with such high costs.

The guaranteed price of electricity will be applicable as follows:

• up to 2,000 kilowatt-hours per year for all households,
• up to 2,600 kilowatt-hours per year for households with persons with disabilities, three plus families - i.e. families with a Large Family Card and farmers.

10% reduction for the lower energy consumption

Next year, Polish families will have an opportunity to make use of a reduction in electricity bills. The prerequisite will be the lower electricity consumption in 2023 by at least 10% when compared to 2022. Energy efficiency will result in a 10% reduction in energy costs.

An additional solution will be a subsidy of PLN 1,000 for those heating their households mainly with electricity, including heat pumps.

Aid to entrepreneurs

The Solidarity Shield also involves aid to companies. The government will allocate the funds of up to PLN 5 billion for supporting several hundred companies. Support will be granted to beneficiaries provided that there is at least a 100% rise in energy prices. The payment of the funds is planned to take place this year.

As of next year, entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to connect directly to renewable energy sources (RES).

Savings in public administration and State Treasury companies

Government, but also local government, administration will be obliged to reduce the consumption of electricity by 10% as from 1 October 2022. The next step will be to change external lighting to energy-efficient lighting, which uses much less electricity.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki also ordered Deputy Prime Minister Jacek Sasin to eliminate bonuses for management boards of State Treasury companies.