National Recovery Plan - industry has a chance to receive support

The National Recovery Plan (KPO) is an element of the EU's economic recovery strategy after the COVID-19 pandemic. Its main goal is to support digital and ecological transformation, which can also benefit Polish entrepreneurs, including representatives of the industrial sector. In this article, we will explain how the KPO can influence the development of industrial companies and what investments can be made under it, with particular emphasis on energy efficiency and the transformation towards zero emissions.

What does the KPO offer polish entrepreneurs?

The National Recovery and Resilience Plan is a powerful tool supporting both entrepreneurs and the national economy. It consists of five pillars, one of which is support in the area of green transformation. For the industry, this means access to funds for projects related to:

  • Development of RES (Renewable Energy Sources): Investments in solar, wind, or biomass technologies contribute to reducing energy costs and the carbon footprint.
  • Increasing energy efficiency: Support for the modernization of infrastructure in order to reduce energy consumption.
  • Modernization of production processes: Introducing innovations that reduce CO2 emissions and increase financial efficiency.

,,The National Recovery Plan is an opportunity for Polish industrial enterprises to gain support in energy and digital transformation. As a company operating in the area of energy efficiency, we see in the KPO the possibility of significantly reducing the costs of modernization, which are becoming more expensive year by year. New investments in green sources, energy-saving projects, or the modernization of the machinery park play a major role in increasing competitiveness. This is not only a matter of financial savings in the short term; it is also crucial in the context of the long-term stability of the company and building the image of a leader in sustainable development.

All support programs are welcomed and expected by entrepreneurs. Having worked in the industrial energy efficiency market for 15 years, I have become convinced that it is still possible to implement energy-saving modernizations leading to emission reductions without waiting for subsidy support. They can be so profitable (even without any support programs) that delaying them while waiting for subsidies or cheaper loans generates significant lost benefits, and then "the game is not worth the candle." Let us remember that financing investments that reduce energy consumption "from achieved savings" may prove more beneficial than any aid program, and it is worth analyzing this with us." comments Dominik Brach, PhD, Vice President of DB Energy. 

What investments can be implemented under the National Recovery Plan?

The National Recovery Plan (KPO) offers a wide range of support for entrepreneurs, especially in the industrial sector. Its aim is not only to help rebuild the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic but also to create foundations for long-term development based on digital and ecological transformation.

1. Green and Digital Transformation

The KPO places particular emphasis on supporting investments related to ecological transformation and the digitization of production and business processes.

Investments in Energy Efficiency

Support under the KPO includes energy modernization of industrial buildings and optimization of production processes. For example:

  • Thermal modernization of buildings, improvement of insulation and replacement of outdated heating systems with more energy-efficient ones.
  • Modernization of the machine park, investments in modern technologies and optimization of the operation of devices in the production process.

Renewable Energy Sources (RES)

The KPO supports investments in RES installations that can significantly reduce energy bills, for example:

  • Installation of photovoltaic systems on industrial buildings.
  • Construction of wind farms that can supply clean electricity to production plants.
  • Investments in technologies enabling the production of energy from organic waste and biomass.

Electromobility

The KPO supports investments related to electromobility, which include:

  • Construction of charging stations for electric vehicles, which may be of particular interest to industrial companies with large vehicle fleets.
  • Replacement of combustion vehicles with electric vehicles within the company fleet, contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions and lower operating costs.

Energy Management and Zero-Emission Technologies

The KPO offers support for the implementation of modern energy management systems and zero-emission technologies, such as:

  • Green hydrogen - development of hydrogen production technologies using renewable energy sources.
  • Installation of modern energy management systems such as ISO 50001, which help monitor and optimize energy consumption.
  • Energy storage technologies - development of energy storage systems that increase the stability of energy supplies and enable better management of energy consumption in industrial plants.

2. Digital Investments and Modernization of Industrial Infrastructure

Digitalization is a key element of the KPO, which includes:

  • Industry 4.0 - development of smart factories and automation of production processes, allowing industrial enterprises to increase their efficiency and optimize costs.
  • Artificial intelligence and automation - support for enterprises in implementing AI-based solutions that help predict production needs and optimize supply chains.
  • Robotization - investments in industrial robots that can replace traditional, more expensive production processes.

3. Sustainable Mobility and Logistics

The KPO supports investments in the development of sustainable logistics solutions:

  • Sustainable transport - support for projects aimed at reducing CO2 emissions in transport, e.g., by modernizing the fleet of trucks to more ecological vehicles.
  • Investments in rail infrastructure - development of rail transport, which is more ecological than road transport and can directly impact reducing emissions in enterprises using rail for logistics.

4. Investments in Innovation and Research

The KPO also supports investments related to the development of innovation in industry:

  • Research and development (R&D) - support for research projects related to new technologies and production processes that will contribute to improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions.
  • Innovation consortia - companies can apply for funds to create consortia that develop new technological solutions for the industry.

5. Investments in Energy and Climate Transformation

Support under the KPO also covers the energy transformation of enterprises:

  • Decarbonization - investments in technologies that reduce CO2 emissions, such as the introduction of clean coal technologies or the development of carbon dioxide absorption systems.
  • Fit for 55 - support for companies in adapting to EU climate standards and requirements related to reducing emissions by 55% by 2030.

6. Investments in the Circular Economy

The KPO promotes the development of the circular economy (CE), which for industrial companies means:

  • Recycling and recovery of raw materials - support for projects that introduce solutions enabling the reuse of production waste and raw materials.
  • Waste minimization - modernization of production processes to reduce the amount of waste and optimize material resources.

7. Support for Employees and Skills

The KPO also offers support for improving employee qualifications, which is crucial in the process of industrial transformation:

  • Training in new technologies - support for companies in organizing training for employees to adapt their skills to modern technologies and production processes.
  • Digital competence development programs - training for employees aimed at improving their competencies in the field of energy management, automation, and Industry 4.0 systems.

Why Is It Worth Using KPO?

Industrial companies that decide to implement projects under the KPO can count on:

  • Significant Reduction in Energy Costs - which will directly translate into increased profitability.
  • Improved Image - implementation of projects compliant with ESG policy and EU environmental standards, affecting the company's perception in the market.
  • Financial Stability - through process optimization, reduction of energy consumption, and better management of investment costs.

The KPO is an excellent opportunity to introduce modern energy solutions in the industrial sector. Investments in renewable energy sources, thermal modernization, energy management systems, or zero-emission technologies can bring significant financial benefits, both in the short and long term. Investments in energy efficiency and zero emissions are also crucial from the perspective of ESG requirements. More industrial companies are required to report on their activities for sustainable development, which is becoming an important factor in competitiveness in the international market. This is a good opportunity not only to modernize infrastructure but also to improve financial results in the long term and adapt to climate requirements.