Minister Kurtyka pointed out that the pandemic has an increasing negative impact on the global and European economy, including the energy sector. He also underscored that Poland supports the EU in its efforts to create a coherent crisis recovery strategy.

“The current situation is unprecedented and requires action of an unprecedented nature, which will require earmarking relevant financial resources at the EU level. While setting out the measures, our top priority should also be to avoid imposing additional burdens on the most affected sectors and citizens,” he said.

Minister Michał Kurtyka informed that Poland has analysed the current crisis from the standpoint of the energy sector and identified four main areas that require intervention:

1. Investments: ensuring completion of key energy projects, which are currently carried out.
2. Industry: strengthening key sectors needed for achieving climate neutrality while ensuring the ongoing functioning of the economy.
3. Innovation: strengthening cooperation to develop the required technologies.
4. People: solidarity with and protection of the poorest and most vulnerable groups.

 

A slowdown after the pandemic is inevitable, according to minister Kurtyka, which makes the need for closer cooperation at EU level even more urgent.

“In this unusual situation, we will have to stimulate new and ongoing investment in the energy sector through an ambitious recovery plan and a sound multi-annual financial framework,” he said.

In the opinion of the Minister of Climate, the EU’s energy and climate objectives should remain ambitious, but above all they should be realistic.

Furthermore, as he pointed out, there should be a particular focus on ensuring an uninterrupted energy supply and completing key projects to minimise the impact of the pandemic on the objectives set for the coming decade.

“In order to ensure further development of European industry, we should strengthen the independence of the supply chain in the EU. We should also support investments, which enable the share of renewable energy sources in the energy mix to grow,” he noted.

According to Michał Kurtyka, it is also important to ensure that adequate resources to support innovation across Europe are available to actors across the EU on an equal footing and in accordance with the principle of technological neutrality.

“Flexibility is key in the time of crisis. Member States should be allowed to choose their own path to transition, without excluding certain technologies. For Poland, natural gas is the fastest available path to reduce emissions and improve air quality” he added..

Minister Kurtyka also pointed out that the economic downturn resulting from the pandemic would affect not only businesses but also - and above all - citizens, especially the poorest and the most vulnerable ones.

“Our recovery plan should not only stimulate growth and employment by supporting investment, but also provide care, ensure solidarity and offer protection for those most affected in these difficult times. In particular, we need to ensure that the costs of our policies do not place an additional burden on those who are already at risk of energy and economic poverty,” he stressed.