„As a sector, we see more and more challenges in the energy transition. Therefore, we will have to determine in which direction and how to implement the decarbonization strategy. The paths away from carbon vary,” says Stanisław Barański, Director of Sustainability and Energy Transition Office at PKN ORLEN, in an interview with BiznesAlert.pl.
- The EU economy and the energy sector are inevitably heading towards a deep energy transition.
- In my opinion, adjustments are inevitable, but the direction is clear and it has been determined decisively, Barański told BiznesAlert.pl.
- Predictability is important. Both at the EU level and when implementing EU directives into the Polish legal order. In addition, the predictability of Polish energy policy is important Barański explained.
BiznesAlert.pl: Orlen’s new CEO has recently published a letter about continuing the energy transition. Why and how is Orlen implementing it?
Stanisław Barański: A few years ago, Orlen was the first in Europe to declare the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This was due to a sense of social and environmental responsibility and awareness about the situation on EU energy markets. I am referring here to both the regulatory and business dimensions as well as availability of funding. In all three respects, the EU economy and energy sector are inevitably heading towards a profound energy transition.
Inevitably. Does this mean that Orlen does not expect a revision of the European Green Deal? Or changes after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?
In my opinion, adjustments are inevitable, but the direction is clear and has been set decisively. The challenge is so great that adjustments are both inevitable and necessary. As a sector, we see more and more challenges in the energy transition. Therefore, we will have to determine in which direction and how to implement the decarbonization strategy. The paths away from carbon vary.
How to overcome the challenges arising, for instance, in the hydrogen sector, small nuclear reactors, or other pillars on which Orlen plans to base its path to decarbonization?
There are a lot of challenges. Predictability is important. Both at the EU level and when implementing EU directives into the Polish legal order. In addition, the predictability of Polish energy policy is important. The latter aspect will facilitate large-scale investment decisions.
Does Orlen therefore expect an update of the Polish energy policy?
We are aware that we do not operate in a regulatory or strategic vacuum, or in the context of an energy sector defined by a centralized economy. We are monitoring what is happening with regard to the government’s energy plans and we are responding to them. We have included similar EU-wide responses in our business strategy.
Interview by Wojciech Jakóbik