Entrepreneurs see a great opportunity in the funds from the National Recovery Plan (KPO). “These are not fictitious billions, but money that will give businesses the power to act.”
The Minister of Funds and Regional Policy reported that the first 5 billion PLN from the National Recovery Plan (KPO) has reached Poland – It’s hard to imagine a better gift for Poland – says Hanna Mojsiuk, President of the Northern Chamber of Commerce in Szczecin. – KPO is an opportunity for many entrepreneurs for business development, diversification of operations, or changing the energy system. We hope that the money will be spent quickly, and entrepreneurs will be able to participate in their absorption – says Hanna Mojsiuk.
Energy transformation a priority in KPO. Investments must start as soon as possible.
Nearly 60 billion PLN are supposed to come to Poland from the National Recovery Plan. The mentioned 5 billion for energy transformation is only a fraction of the money that Poland receives. However, it’s a positive omen and finally a chance for KPO funds to be spent.
– The Northern Chamber of Commerce has repeatedly said that if KPO funds do not quickly reach Polish local governments, public institutions, or entrepreneurs, then there will be no way to spend them. Energy transformation, energy investments are not tasks that are implemented in a week. Hence, our efforts to make the procedures and guidelines for spending KPO funds known as soon as possible. We expect businesses to have a say and be able to invest and grow thanks to KPO – says Hanna Mojsiuk, President of the Northern Chamber of Commerce in Szczecin.
– The development of the energy transformation is a chance for companies to implement hydrogen technologies. We know many entrepreneurs in KPO see a chance to move away from expensive heating systems in favour of green energy. This will be an important topic in the economic agenda of 2024. I am convinced that many entrepreneurs will be very interested in these funds – adds President Hanna Mojsiuk.
“These are not fictitious billions”
5 billion euros come from the RePowerEu program, part of the National Recovery Plan. This fund is for the construction of solar power plants, wind power plants, and nuclear preparation. Also, for insulating buildings.
– In 2023, the problem was the lack of public investment. Entrepreneurs were much more cautious, and financial institutions looked at the financing of many projects with great distaste. KPO will be an opportunity for small, medium, and large companies. If we look at it from the point of view of “fictitious billions”, it is the wrong perspective. These billions will go to large companies for major investments, but these large companies will need subcontractors. This will give job opportunities to hundreds of people and cause many sectors of the economy to revive – says Marcin Pawłowski, President of the Polish Entrepreneurship Foundation.
The president of PFP opines that the absorption of funds from the National Recovery Plan will be one of the most important events of 2024.
What can the funds be spent on?
Experts from the North Chamber of Commerce Energy Optimization Cluster estimate that over 46% of the KPO budget will go towards energy objectives, and one of the main groups of beneficiaries will be businesses.
– What is clear already today, investments in green businesses will be preferred, in the development of offshore wind energy, or in the construction of electric energy storage facilities. We also expect broad support for investments in green and resilient cities and their functional areas, with green revitalization taken into account as well as support for investments in green multi-family construction. Nearly every sector of the economy will be a beneficiary of KPO – summarizes Piotr Ostrowski from Europrojekty Consulting, vice-president of the Energy Optimization Cluster at the Northern Chamber of Commerce in Szczecin.
