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The war in Ukraine was a painful reminder of the need to restore the energy infrastructure that was being destroyed and to maintain the country’s energy independence. One of the most important elements of national security and defence is the ability to provide a stable and independent source of energy. This requires a shift in thinking from a paradigm of cost optimisation to redundancy and system backup. Dispersion, diversification and flexibility in energy sources seem to be a necessity. But what are the costs that Poland has to bear to ensure its energy independence?
The answer to this question was sought by a group of experts who took part in a panel discussion. Among them were Jakub Wiech, Editor-in-Chief of Defence24.pl, Gabriel Gorbačevski, Energy Attaché of the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania, Robert Rudich, Energy Attaché of the Embassy of the United States, Patryk Demski, Vice President of the Management Board for Strategy and Development of TAURON, Piotr Sabat, Member of the Management Board for Development of PKN Orlen, Kamil Wyszkowski, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network Poland and Tomasz Tomasiak, Director of the Energy Transformation Department at the Polish Development Fund.
Expert Tomasiak stressed that energy transformation is essential, as only man can counteract the climate anomalies caused by the increase in CO2 and other gases. Poland currently generates only 12% of its energy from RES, with the majority coming from coal and non-renewable sources. This change is necessary to cope with climate change. The question was how to finance the energy transition? Tomasiak stressed that it is necessary to look for opportunities to obtain funding from various programmes, but also private funds need to be involved. According to the Energy Forum, fossil fuels cost Poland PLN 200 billion in 2021. Tomasiak said that funds will be found, but we need good projects and investments, and the sooner we start the energy transition, the more we will save.
Patryk Demski of Tauron stressed that accelerating the energy transition requires technology. – We should also bet on innovative energy storage solutions, such as lithium-ion or hydrogen batteries. These technologies already have applications, but still need further development to make them more efficient and cheaper. It is also important that we stop subsidising coal and other non-renewable sources that generate negative environmental and human health impacts. We should invest in renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and biomass, which are not only environmentally friendly but also increasingly cost-competitive.
I agree with you that we can no longer ignore the need for an energy transition and we must act quickly and consistently. We need to start thinking about redundancy and diversification of our energy sources to avoid dependence on a single supplier. This will cost money, but it is a price we have to pay to ensure our energy security and protect the environment. Also in Poland, we should put more emphasis on the development of RES and innovative technologies to increase our energy independence and contribute to the fight against climate change, added Piotr Sabat from PKN Orlen. Energy and geopolitics are two issues that pose a challenge for European countries. The process of derusification, i.e. divestment from Russian energy resources, and decarbonisation are ongoing processes. Kamil Wyszkowski of the Global Network argues that Europe can afford it, as most European countries are developed. However, a global energy transition strategy is needed. Europe should stabilise about 12-15% of offshore energy, because the more green energy there is from RES, from hydropower, from offshore, the easier it will be for derusification. It is worth noting that energy prices are rising as a result of conflicts around the world, including in Ukraine. The centralised energy model is easy to attack and the solution is to disperse the energy system. There were about 4 000 small hydroelectric power plants in Poland before World War II, which were decommissioned during the communist era. Appropriate legal changes are needed to return to private energy generation.
Jakub Wiech, in turn, asks whether the US will cooperate in the European energy transition. Robert Rudich from the US embassy responded that energy security
energy security is international security and we do not need to compromise. The US is gradually replacing Russia in the supply of energy sources and Europe is now the largest recipient of gas supplies from America. The long-range goal is not to replace gas from Russia, but a secure energy transition. In this area, the US is providing low-cost technological solutions to the market that reduce emissions of harmful gases so that all our allies can benefit. The current infrastructure may not be sufficient for the energy transition, but the US is willing to assist in the process of creating a new energy system in Europe. Currently, the financial security of the venture is provided by European Union institutions and multinational corporations, and in the future the US will invest $4 billion in the transformation of the energy market.
In conclusion, the discussion on the economics of new energy has shown that the energy transition is inevitable and necessary to ensure the energy security of Poland and Europe and to contribute to the fight against climate change. At the same time, it comes at a high cost, but this is the price we have to pay to avoid a repeat of the war scenario in Ukraine. Proper financial management and investment in innovative technologies can help reduce the costs of the transition and accelerate the process. At the same time, it is important that politicians and entrepreneurs understand the need for action on the energy transition and take the appropriate steps to accelerate it.
Two days filled with meetings, more than thirty debates, round-table discussions, motivating power speeches, dozens of Polish and foreign experts – this is how the largest environmental event in Central and Eastern Europe – the TOGETAIR 2023 International Climate Summit – is presented. The event takes place at the University of Warsaw Library on 20-21 April. TOGETAIR 2023 has received prestigious patronage from Polish and foreign institutions, including the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and the Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki.
The full agenda of the event including panellists is available at: https://togetair.eu/agenda/
Follow and watch TOGETAIR 2023: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Money.co.uk
Media contact: media@a-smiejatogetair-eu
Two days filled with meetings, more than thirty debates, round-table discussions, motivating power speeches, dozens of Polish and foreign experts – this is how the largest environmental event in Central and Eastern Europe – the TOGETAIR 2023 International Climate Summit – is presented. The event takes place at the University of Warsaw Library on 20-21 April. TOGETAIR 2023 has received prestigious patronage from Polish and foreign institutions, including the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and the Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki.
The full agenda of the event including panellists is available at: https://togetair.eu/agenda/
Follow and watch TOGETAIR 2023: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Money.co.uk
Media contact: media@a-smiejatogetair-eu
THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US – TOGETAIR 2023!
PARTNER STRATEGICZNY: PKN ORLEN PARTNER GŁÓWNY: Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, 3W
GŁÓWNY PARTNER ŚRODOWISKOWO- KLIMATYCZNY: Lasy Państwowe
PARTNER ENERGETYCZNY: Tauron
PATRONATY INSTYTUCJI EUROPEJSKICH: Komisja Europejska przedstawicielstwo w Polsce, Roberta Metsola, przewodnicząca Parlamentu Europejskiego.
HONOROWY PATRONAT UCZELNI: Uniwersytet Warszawski
HONOROWY PATRONAT: Prezes Rady Ministrów Mateusz Morawiecki
PATRONATY MINISTERSTW: Ministerstwo Finansów, Ministerstwo Zdrowia, Ministerstwo Klimatu i Środowiska, Ministerstwo Rozwoju i Technologii, Ministerstwo Funduszy i Polityki Regionalnej
PARTNERZY EKO+: McDonald’s, Stena Recycling
PARTNER EKO: Robert Bosch, Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowska Metropolia, Saint-Gobain, Agencja Rozwoju Przemysłu, Polski Fundusz Rozwoju, Fortum, PGE, Danone, Sieć Badawcza Łukasiewicz, VELUX Polska
PARTNERZY: Rekopol, EKO-PAK, Federacja Konsumentów, Bank Ochrony Środowiska, PKO Bank Polski, Instytut Ochrony Środowiska – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, ERGO- Hestia, Medicover, Ekoenergetyka, PIOIRO, Izba Branży Komunalnej, Clochee, Polski Związek Firm Deweloperskich, Górażdże, Xylem, Green Office Ecologic, Daily Fruits, Assay Management, ZMPD-Zrzeszenie Międzynarodowych Przewoźników Drogowych, KIKE-Krajowa Izba Klastrów Energii, Polska Rada Pelletu, DPD, Giełda Papierów Wartościowych, Grupa LUX MED, LPP, Państwowy Instytut Geologiczny – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy
PATRONAT MARSZAŁKÓW WOJEWÓDZTW: Dolnośląskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Lubelskie, Lubuskie, Łódzkie, Małopolskie, Mazowieckie, Opolskie, Pomorskie, Śląskie, Świętokrzyskie, Warmińsko Mazurskie, Wielkopolskie, Zachodniopomorskie
PATRONATY I PARTNERZY MERYTORYCZNI: KONGRES ESG – POLSKA MOC BIZNESU,
Narodowy Fundusz Ochrony Środowiska i Gospodarki Wodnej, Rzecznik MŚP – Małych i Średnich Przedsiębiorców, Polskie Regiony – Związek Województw RP, Związek Gmin Wiejskich, Business Center Club, Francusko-Polska Izba Gospodarcza CCIFP, Polskie Stowarzyszenie Paliw Alternatywnych, Polskie Stowarzyszenie Budownictwa Ekologicznego, Urząd Regulacji Energetyki, Polski Alarm Smogowy, Fundacja Republikańska, H&M, Polska Izba Magazynowania Energii i Elektromobilności – PIME, Rolnictwo Zrównoważone, PSME
Polskie Stowarzyszenie Magazynowania Energii, Fundacja Fair Trade Polska, Columbus, Centralny Port Komunikacyjny
PATRONATY UCZELNI WYŻSZYCH: Akademia Górniczo-Hutnicza w Krakowie, Polska Akademia Nauk, Politechnika Warszawska, Szkoła Główna Gospodarstwa Wiejskiego, Szkoła Główna Handlowa, Uniwersytet Warszawski
PARTNER MIĘDZYNARODOWY: UN Global Compact Network Poland
PATRONATY MEDIALNE: WP.pl, Money.pl, Interia, Zielona Interia, Polsat News, Rzeczpospolita, Polskie Radio, Audytorium 17, Polska Press, PAP, Forbes, Dziennika Gazeta Prawna, Biznes 24, Wysokie Napięcie, Teraz Środowisko, Audytorium17, Energetyka24.pl, Comparic.pl, Klub Integracji Europejskiej, EcoEkonomia, ESGinfo.pl, reach4.biz, magazyn Raport Kolejowy i Raport Tramwajowy, Magazyn Inżynier Budownictwa, Eciepło.pl, Magazyn Business HUB, SmartMe, Magazyn Przedsiębiorcy, EkoRynek, Siła Nauki, SmogLab, Świat OZE, EkoNatura, Biznes i Ekologia, Business Magazine
GŁÓWNY PARTNER REKLAMY ZEWNĘTRZNEJ: Clear Channel
