NextGenerationEU: ministers approve the assessment of Poland’s national plan by the European Commission

Economy and finance ministers discussed the positive assessment of the Polish national recovery and resilience plan by the European Commission. The Council adopted its implementing decision on the approval of Poland’s plan today.

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.