The European Commission has authorized a significant scheme in Poland, valued at over €1 billion, aimed at bolstering investments in electricity storage facilities to support the transition to a net-zero economy.
The €1.2 billion initiative, approved under the State Aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF), reflects the European Commission's commitment to fostering sustainable energy solutions. This framework was first adopted on March 9, 2023, and has undergone amendments on November 20, 2023, and May 2, 2024.
Poland submitted the proposal under the TCTF, seeking support for the installation of at least 5.4 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of new electricity storage capacity. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to reduce the Polish electricity system's dependence on fossil fuels and facilitate the integration of variable renewable energy sources.
Funding for the scheme will be sourced from both the Modernisation Fund and the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), following the Commission's favorable evaluation of Poland's Recovery and Resilience Plan and its subsequent approval by the Council.
The approved scheme is specifically designed to support newly installed storage facilities with a minimum capacity of 4 megawatt-hours (MWh). The facilities will be integrated into the national electricity grid, connecting to distribution or transmission networks across all voltage levels.
Project selection will be carried out by the Polish government through a call for proposals, ensuring that the investments align with the nation's energy transition goals.