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Poland launches EUR 6.8m funding program for geothermal heating efforts

Poland launches EUR 6.8m funding program for geothermal heating efforts Geothermal well at Zakopane, Poland (Source: Geotermia Podhalanska)
Alexander Richter 26 May 2020

The National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Poland has launched a funding program of EUR 6.8 million for "for enterprises and local government units for the construction of heat sources using geothermal energy."

NFEPWM has announced the call for applications for co-financing of small hydropower plants and construction of geothermal heat sources! It’s a total of PLN 44 million for renewable energy!

Thanks to two subsequent calls for proposals announced by the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, as much as PLN 44 million will be able to be allocated to small hydropower plants up to 2 MW and construction of geothermal heat sources. Co-financing comes from the financial mechanism of the European Economic Area 2014-2021 under the program: “Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Energy Security”. Grant applications will be accepted between 1 July and 30 October 2020.

Increase in RES production

The purpose of the subsidy is to increase renewable energy production, but not only. The efficiency of this production is also important. That is why the funding will be able to be allocated to the modernization of OWE to 2 MW in order to reduce their potentially adverse impact on the environment. In addition, projects at OWE should be accompanied by educational activities – training of experts in the field of hydropower.

The funds may also be allocated to the construction of energy production systems using deep geothermal energy and its use for heating or energy purposes, and reduction of CO2 emissions.

Distribution of funds

The total co-financing in these two calls for proposals is PLN 44 million (EUR 10 million). PLN 13 million of this amount will be allocated to enterprises and PGW Woda Polskie for projects in the field of small hydropower plants, and over PLN 31 million (EUR 6.8 million) for enterprises and local government units for the construction of heat sources using geothermal energy.

The implementation of the projects is expected to contribute to the introduction of technological and infrastructural changes into already existing heating systems. According to NFO?iGW, construction of a new heating infrastructure, modernization of equipment and installations for energy production, or adaptation of small hydropower plants to applicable standards regarding, among others aquatic ecosystems will have a real impact on improving the environment.

Other opportunities

Norwegian funds are the common name for non-returnable financial assistance for Poland in the form of the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area (EEA FM) and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism (NMF).

In mid-March, the NFEPWM announced 8 other calls for proposals under these measures. It was published before here.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the dates of individual calls were extended by two months.<

Application for funding

More information, as well as the possibility of applying for funding can be found here

Source: NFO?iGW

Source: GlobEnergia