National Recovery Plan – an opportunity for industrial support

National Recovery Plan – an opportunity for industrial support

The National Recovery Plan (KPO) is part of the EU’s strategy for economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. Its main goal is to support digital and green transformation, which Polish entrepreneurs – including representatives of the industrial sector – can also benefit from. In this article, we explain how the KPO can influence the development of industrial companies and what types of investments can be carried out under its framework, with particular focus on energy efficiency and the transition toward zero emissions.

What does the KPO mean for 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 industry, this means access to funds for projects related to:

  • Development of RES (Renewable Energy Sources) – investments in solar, wind, or biomass technologies, which contribute to reducing energy costs and lowering the carbon footprint;
  • Increasing energy efficiency – support for infrastructure modernization to reduce energy consumption;
  • Modernization of production processes – introducing innovations that reduce CO2 emissions and increase financial efficiency.
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The National Recovery Plan is an opportunity for Polish industrial companies to gain support in the energy and digital transformation. As a company operating in the field of energy efficiency, we see in the KPO a chance to significantly reduce modernization costs, which are becoming more expensive each year. New investments in green sources, energy-saving projects, or modernization of machinery play a key role in increasing competitiveness. This is not only a matter of short-term financial savings – it also matters in the context of long-term company stability and building the image of a sustainable development leader. All support programs are welcomed and expected by entrepreneurs. Having worked in the industrial energy efficiency market for 15 years, I have learned that it is still possible to implement energy-saving modernizations that reduce emissions and are worth doing without waiting for grant support. They can be so profitable (even without any support programs) that delaying them in expectation of grants or cheaper loans generates huge opportunity costs, making it unprofitable. Let us remember that financing an investment reducing energy consumption “from achieved savings” may turn out to be more beneficial than any aid program, and it is worth analyzing this with us.
Ph.D. Dominik Brach Vice President of the Management Board

What investments can be carried out under the KPO?

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

Green and digital transformation

The KPO places particular emphasis on supporting investments related to ecological transformation and the digitalization 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, improving insulation, and replacing outdated heating systems with more energy-efficient ones;
  • modernization of machinery, investment in modern technologies, and optimization of equipment operation in the production process.

Renewable energy sources (RES)

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

  • installation of photovoltaic systems on industrial buildings;
  • construction of wind farms to supply clean electricity to production facilities;
  • investments in technologies enabling energy production from organic waste and biomass.

Electromobility

Under the KPO, investments related to electromobility are supported, including:

  • construction of electric vehicle charging stations, which can be particularly attractive for industrial companies with large vehicle fleets;
  • replacement of combustion vehicles with electric ones in company fleets, contributing to CO2 emission reduction and lower operating costs.

Energy management and zero-emission technologies

The KPO offers support for implementing 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, to monitor and optimize energy consumption;
  • energy storage technologies – development of storage systems to increase energy supply stability and enable better energy consumption management in industrial plants.

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, enabling industrial enterprises to increase efficiency and optimize costs;
  • artificial intelligence and automation – support for implementing AI-based solutions to predict production needs and optimize supply chains;
  • robotization – investments in industrial robots that can replace traditional, more costly production processes.

Sustainable mobility and logistics

The KPO supports investments in sustainable logistics solutions:

  • sustainable transport – support for projects aimed at reducing CO2 emissions in transport, e.g., through modernization of truck fleets to more eco-friendly vehicles;
  • investment in rail infrastructure – development of rail transport, which is more environmentally friendly than road transport and can directly reduce emissions in companies using rail in logistics.

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 improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions;
  • innovation consortia – companies can apply for funding to create consortia developing new technological solutions for industry.

Investments in energy and climate transformation

Support under the KPO also covers energy transformation of enterprises:

  • decarbonization – investments in technologies that enable CO2 emission reduction, such as implementing clean coal technologies or developing carbon capture systems;
  • Fit for 55 – support for companies in adapting to EU climate standards and requirements related to a 55% emission reduction by 2030.

Investments in the circular economy

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

  • recycling and resource recovery – support for projects introducing solutions that enable reuse of production waste and raw materials;
  • waste minimization – modernization of production processes to reduce waste generation and optimize material resource use.

Support for employees and skills

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

  • training in new technologies – support for companies in organizing employee training to adapt their skills to modern technologies and production processes;
  • digital skills development programs – training aimed at improving employees’ skills in energy management, automation, and Industry 4.0 systems.

Why is it worth using the KPO funds?

Industrial companies that decide to implement projects under the KPO can benefit from:

  • significant reduction of energy costs – directly translating into increased profitability;
  • improved image – implementing projects in line with ESG policy and EU environmental standards, influencing the company’s market perception;
  • financial stability – through process optimization, reduced energy consumption, and better management of investment costs.

Summary

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 in both the short and long term. Investments in energy efficiency and zero emissions are also important from the ESG requirements perspective. Increasingly, industrial companies are required to report their sustainable development activities, which is becoming a key factor of competitiveness in the international market. This is a good opportunity not only to modernize infrastructure but also to achieve long-term financial improvement and adapt to climate requirements.

Knowledge base

Where to obtain financing to implement the projects indicated in the company energy audit?

Energy audits of enterprises are a legal requirement for large companies, and soon also for SMEs. Above all, however, an audit is a tool that identifies the potential for improving energy efficiency. It should include specific technical and organizational actions that can reduce energy consumption, cut emissions, and deliver tangible economic benefits. Yet the process does not end there – equally important is the implementation of the recommended solutions, which can be costly and complex. Even if a company has a sufficient own budget for energy-saving investments, additional financing is always welcome.

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The green transformation, which forms the foundation of the EU’s climate strategies, is not just a buzzword – it is a broad set of regulations and initiatives that will strongly influence both Polish and foreign companies in the coming years. Regulations such as the European Green Deal, Fit for 55, and the EU ETS system require businesses to implement solutions that reduce CO₂ emissions, improve energy efficiency, and increase the share of renewable energy sources.

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Energy efficiency is one of the key elements of competitiveness for industrial enterprises. Rising energy prices, legal regulations, and increasing pressure to reduce emissions are prompting more and more companies to consider conducting an energy audit. The problem is that choosing the right type of audit can be a challenge. Many companies make decisions without full awareness, limiting themselves to meeting only the minimum legal requirements - which, in the long run, can lead to losses.

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