NextGenerationEU: ministers approve the assessment of Poland’s national plan by the European Commission
The Council’s decision follows the European Commission’s assessment of the national recovery and resilience plans. These plans have to comply with the 2019 and 2020 country-specific recommendations and reflect the EU’s general objectives of creating a greener, more digital and more competitive economy.
Poland’s total allocation under the Recovery and Resilience Facility is of €35.4 billion (€23.9 billion in grants and €11.5 billion in loans). This financing will enable Poland to foster its economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and finance the green and digital transitions.
Poland’s plan
Poland’s plan devotes 42.7% of its total allocation of €35.4 billion to measures that support climate objectives. The implementation of Poland’s plan is expected to contribute significantly to the decarbonisation of the Polish economy by increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy mix, the energy efficiency of the economy and the independence of Poland’s energy supply. This includes substantial funding for offshore wind energy plants, as well as key changes to the regulatory framework facilitating the construction of offshore and onshore wind farms. Moreover, the implementation of the plan is expected to support an energy efficient renovation of buildings, the modernisation of railways and bus transport, road safety and the development of green hydrogen technologies.
Poland’s plan devotes 21.3% of the total allocation to measures that support the digital transition. This includes investments to provide universal access to high-speed internet, digitalisation of public services, IT equipment for schools, digital skills and cyber-security.
In line with the Poland’s country specific recommendation, the plan contains commitment to several reforms to improve the investment climate in Poland, which must be fulfilled before any disbursements can be made. This includes a comprehensive reform of the disciplinary regime applicable to Polish judges which is expected to strengthen important aspects of the independence of the judiciary.
Next steps
The Commission will disburse once the member state reaches the milestones and targets set for investments and reforms in the recovery and resilience plan.
Background
The Recovery and Resilience Facility is part of NextGenerationEU, the EU’s coordinated response to the challenges the pandemic has posed to the European economy and to prepare it for the green and digital transitions. It will provide up to €672.5 billion to support the reforms and investments outlined in the member states’ recovery and resilience plans.
- Recovery fund: ministers welcome assessment of national plans for Bulgaria and Sweden (press release, 3 May 2022)
- Recovery fund: ministers welcome assessment of Estonia’s, Finland’s and Romania’s plans (press release, 28 October 2021)
- Council gives go-ahead to Malta’s recovery plan (press release, 5 October 2021)
- Recovery fund: ministers welcome assessment of Czechia’s and Ireland’s plans (press release, 6 September 2021)
- Recovery fund: ministers welcome assessment of four more national plans (press release, 26 July 2021)
- Council gives green light to first recovery disbursements (press release, 13 July 2021)
- A recovery plan for Europe (background information)
- The Recovery and Resilience Facility (European Commission)