Poland's Energy Efficiency

During the last two decades, Poland has brought significant energy efficiency improvement to the economy.   Energy consumption of the Polish economy decreased by 51% between 1996-2013 and the country’s primary energy consumption, per capita, is 25 percent lower than the EU average.  Poland plans to achieve the EU15 energy intensity level of 2005 by 2030 and is obligated to meet EU directives to improve energy efficiency by 20% in 2020, showing annual energy efficiency savings of 1.5% from 2014-2020.  

The system of white certificates that awards energy efficiency investments and undertakings is an instrument for increasing energy efficiency in Poland.  The system is obligatory for utilities that sell electricity to end-users.  In order to receive a white certificate, a company must submit an application with an energy efficiency audit to the President of the Energy Regulatory Office.  Energy efficiency audits are obligatory for large companies (more than 250 employees).   

With the availability of EU funds dedicated to improvement of energy efficiency, the energy efficiency market in Poland has been developing significantly throughout the past decade, especially in the area of thermo-modernization of buildings, modernization of street lighting, and advancement of industrial processes.  The total amount of EU funds allocated for support of the low carbon economy in Poland (including energy efficiency projects) was Euro 6.8 billion in 2014-2020.  

This included Euro 3.8 billion from the European Regional Development Fund (regional level) and Euro 3 billion from Cohesion Fund (state level).  Funds available to increase energy efficiency at the state level (Cohesion Fund) are financed mainly through the Environment and Infrastructure Program.  

Energy efficiency improvement areas that may be supported by EU funds are: production of electric energy (CHP production), electricity transmission and distribution (including smart grid), energy consumption (energy modernization of public and housing buildings, energy efficiency improvement in factories and enterprises, regional infrastructure improvement).   Other dedicated financing for energy efficiency projects include: The National Fund for Environmental Protection (subsidies and preferential credits) and EBRD and EU fund PolSEEF (preferential credits). 

For more information contact office.warsaw@trade.gov.