What goes on in Poland on the 7th of July.
Offshore and solar energy will speed up Polish energy transition
Climate Minister Michał Kurtyka and Frans Timmermans, responsible for the implementation of the European Green Deal, agreed that solar farms and offshore wind farms can be a driving force for energy transition. Both politicians participated in the conference organized by BloombergNEF (BNEF).
Timmermans emphasized that Poland not only thinks about wind and solar energy, but Polish companies that were traditionally present in the fossil fuel sector want to develop hydrogen projects. The Vice-President of the European Commission also recognized the potential for biogas development in Poland. He admitted that it will be difficult for some countries and regions to start the energy transition, which is why the so-called Just Transition Fund is the central part of the European Green Deal. – We don’t want to leave anyone behind – he added. Timmermans pointed out that thanks to these funds, Poland, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Romania can benefit a lot.
Michał Kurtyka stressed that the energy transition cannot ignore the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting huge pressure on EU economies. He emphasized that the role of gas cannot be limited. – This is a very important raw material in heating, used by households instead of coal – he added.
He pointed out that if the energy transition it to take place, Poland must meet three conditions. – First, capital resources are needed for transition, and the Just Transition Fund is one of the steps in this direction. The second issue is just transition. The third condition is the competitiveness of the European industry – he said, indicating that the energy transition and reduction of emissions by 2030 in Poland will cost over EUR 200 billion.