Poland’s Ministry of Climate and Environment has announced a new public aid programme for investments in electricity storage infrastructure. The initiative, outlined in the recently published regulation, aims to enhance the country’s energy infrastructure through grants and loans offered to companies developing energy storage projects.

Programme Incentives and Key Details

The regulation states that the aid will be managed by the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) and will be available for projects meeting specific technical and administrative requirements. The programme’s key elements include:

• Financial support in the form of grants and loans for investments in new energy storage systems and the expansion of existing infrastructure.
• Minimum capacity requirements: Only projects involving at least 2 MW of new storage capacity and 4 MWh of effective storage will be eligible for funding.
• Eligibility criteria: Applicants must not have initiated their projects before 9 March 2023 and must ensure that the investment is operational within 36 months of receiving financial support.

The Ministry has confirmed that the intensity of financial aid will vary according to company size. Micro and small enterprises will be eligible for up to 65% project cost coverage, while medium-sized enterprises can receive up to 55%, and large companies may receive up to 45% of eligible costs.

Impact on Poland’s Energy Sector and Market

Expanding energy storage infrastructure is seen as a strategic step towards ensuring grid stability in Poland, particularly as the country experiences rapid growth in renewable energy. According to the Ministry of Climate and Environment, the initiative is designed to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and improve demand-side management through efficient and flexible storage solutions.

Energy storage development is essential for maximising the potential of Poland’s expanding renewable energy capacity. The country reached 12.7 GW of installed renewable capacity in 2024, with significant growth in solar and wind energy. However, the intermittent nature of these sources necessitates robust storage systems to stabilise the grid and enhance electricity supply security.

In this context, the Polish Energy Storage Association has welcomed the new regulation, stating that “NFOŚiGW can now launch the programme ‘Electricity Storage Facilities and Related Infrastructure to Improve the Stability of the Polish Power Grid’”. The association highlighted that the programme has a budget exceeding PLN 4 billion and aims to install at least 5.4 GWh of storage capacity across the country.

Regulations and Key Deadlines

The regulation also stipulates that beneficiary companies must ensure that their investments will not cause significant environmental harm and that they comply with the European Union’s sustainability regulations. Furthermore, the subsidies will be available until 31 December 2025, after which the programme’s continuation will be assessed based on sector progress.

The introduction of energy storage incentives comes at a crucial time for Poland’s energy transition. With over 32 GW of renewable capacity projected in the coming years, market stability will depend on advanced storage solutions that enable the seamless integration of renewable energy into the national power grid.

Market Outlook and Future Prospects

The Polish government has made it clear that energy storage will be a fundamental pillar in transforming the electricity sector. As the share of renewables in the energy mix increases, innovative technologies will be required to prevent grid overload issues and ensure a stable power supply nationwide.

The new incentive framework is expected to benefit not only energy sector businesses but also attract foreign investment and foster technological advancements in storage solutions. With this strategy, Poland is moving towards a more sustainable, flexible, and competitive energy model within Europe.