Poland's SMRs roadmap, NECP adoption, low energy price plan among energy ministry's priorities (interview)
A programme for small modular reactors, possible price shields for heat consumers this year, a plan for low energy prices in the coming years, the adoption of the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP, Polish: KPEiK) and the entry into force of the grid connection act, as well as the preparation of further deregulation of energy law – these are the priorities of the Ministry of Energy, minister Milosz Motyka told an interview with PAP Biznes.
When asked about the ministry's priorities for this year, newly appointed energy minister Milosz Motyka mentioned, among other things, a roadmap for the development of SMRs in Poland.
"Firstly, we want to present the current stage of projects' development in this document, and then we will also programme them in line with the government's strategic documents, i.e. PEP 2040. We will definitely be able to say what stage we are at and what technologies we would like to see," Motyka told PAP Biznes.
When asked whether the energy ministry would change the National Energy Policy and Climate Plan to include SMRs, he replied that the role of SMRs would be indicated primarily in the National Energy Policy (PEP 2040).
"As far as KPEiK [Poland's NECP - MI ed.] is concerned, we are taking it over from the Ministry of Climate. We are grateful for the work of that ministry, and we will certainly analyse it here," Motyka said.
"I know that SMRs are mentioned in it, but the costs have not been calculated. However, KPEiK is an urgent document, so we will present a separate roadmap for SMRs by the end of the summer, but I think that their role will be indicated primarily in the National Energy Policy," he added.
According to the climate ministry's schedule, KPEiK is to be adopted by the government by the end of September and sent to Brussels, which has already twice called on Poland, among others, to submit the final National Energy Policy, and Climate Plan and may refer the matter to the CJEU.
"This is an ambitious plan. We are under time pressure also due to the current delays. On our side, we will intensify our efforts to send it to Brussels in the autumn and to meet these deadlines," Motyka stressed.
Poland's energy minister added that his ministry will simultaneously enter into negotiations with the EC on extending the timetable for KPEiK, as consultations are still necessary within the RDS and the joint government and local government committee.
"The issue of the schedule will also probably be the subject of our negotiations with the European Commission. We will, of course, point out that we are the ministry responsible for this, which wants to listen to the social side," said the minister, noting that the analysis of the conclusions after the consultations will be "extremely dynamic."
When asked if there was a plan B for freezing energy prices in the fourth quarter if President Karol Nawrocki did not sign the distance bill, he replied that there was such a plan, but did not reveal any details at this stage.
"We always have a plan B, but I will not talk about it because we are counting on this bill being signed," Motyka said.
The minister emphasised that the fundamental part of the bill related to renewable energy sources is secure and well prepared.
"This bill provides safeguards against any doubts, so the President should not hesitate, because if the municipal council decides against it, there will be no wind turbine. And there is really no need for Nawrocki or Motyka to decide where it should be built, this is where Polish people should decide, but let's unlock this potential," Motyka pointed out.
When asked about the contract for difference for energy-intensive companies (a fixed energy price for investments in renewable energy sources) proposed by former minister of economic development and technology Krzysztof Paszyk just before he left the government, Motyka replied that he sees potential in this proposal.
"(...) It was only a few days ago that this idea emerged, so we still need to analyse it," he noted.
Among the most urgent priorities of the ministry, in addition to the SMRs roadmap, Motyka listed possible price shields for heat consumers this year, the preparation of a low energy price plan for the coming years, the adoption of strategic documents, i.e. KPEiK, and the entry into force of the grid connection act, as well as the preparation of further amendments deregulating energy law.
"Definitely the grid connection act. It must be ready by the end of the year. It must come into force. And the preparation of further amendments deregulating energy law," the minister listed.
When asked whether his ministry would actively seek to stop ETS2, he replied that this was the responsibility of the climate ministry.
"But if synergy, support or demonstration of the relevant costs are needed, we are ready to cooperate," Motyka noted.
jz/ ao/
