Speaking in an interview with the Polish daily Dziennik Gazeta Prawna (DGP), Pełczyńska-Nałęcz emphasized that energy sector modernization is a top investment priority for the country.
The minister noted that Poland is simultaneously benefiting from two substantial EU funding streams: EUR 76 billion from structural funds and an additional EUR 60 billion from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (KPO).
"We are in a crucial phase of Poland's development where investment in clean, profitable, competitive, and self-sufficient energy is essential," Pełczyńska-Nałęcz told DGP.
She highlighted the need for Poland to achieve energy self-sufficiency, particularly by reducing dependence on imported minerals, which currently costs the country billions of euros. Despite the challenges posed by Poland’s existing energy infrastructure, Pełczyńska-Nałęcz stressed that the country must modernize to remain competitive within the EU single market.
"Our starting point in the race for clean and self-sufficient energy is much more challenging, but we have a significant opportunity with the substantial EU funds available for energy sector modernization," the minister explained, underscoring that the transition to greener energy is not just an EU mandate but a necessity for Poland, given the outdated state of its energy infrastructure.
"Our energy sector is completely outdated. Even without EU intervention, most of our combined heat and power plants or power plants would require massive investments due to their high operating costs," Pełczyńska-Nałęcz stated.
(jh)
Source: PAP