Support for energy-intensive companies in Poland. How many companies have applied?

At the beginning of February, a call for applications for companies from energy-intensive sectors was launched. The program was associated with sudden increases natural gas prices and electricity in 2022. It was developed on the basis of the Act of 29 September 2022 on the rules for the implementation of support programs for entrepreneurs in connection with the situation on the energy market in 2022-2024. Energy-intensive companies could submit applications until February 22. The National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW), which is the program operator, informed PAP that a total of 234 applications for financial support had been submitted under the program. It added that 7 duplicate applications were identified.

Mainly large companies applied for financial assistance (151). In addition, applications were submitted by 66 medium-sized enterprises, 15 small and two micro-enterprises.

According to the programme, companies could apply for support in the amount of up to EUR 4 or up to EUR 50 million. The largest number of applications, ie 179, concerned basic aid in the amount of up to EUR 4 million. In 55 applications, support of up to EUR 50 million was requested. The National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management also informed that the companies applied for support in the amount of PLN 3,835,701,883.07. The budget of the compensation program for energy-intensive sectors was PLN 5 billion. The Fund explained that the evaluation of applications – including the supplementation stage – will last up to 14 days. “The co-financing agreements will also be concluded within this period. Payments are foreseen within 10 days from the conclusion of the co-financing agreements” – added the reply.