Poland advances energy and water security through new regulations and partnerships

Poland is undergoing significant shifts in energy and environmental management through new legislation and corporate partnerships. ORLEN and Veolia have signed an agreement to collaborate on projects involving energy efficiency, the circular economy, water management, and environmental services to support industrial and municipal infrastructure.

Legislative changes to the Water Law are also impacting the sector. New regulations will allow power plants to use treated municipal wastewater for cooling, a move intended to enhance energy and water security during droughts. Additionally, a temporary amnesty has been introduced for owners of unregistered groundwater wells, allowing them to legalize existing wells without administrative penalties or high fees until late 2027.

In the nuclear sector, Orlen Synthos Green Energy (OSGE), a joint venture between ORLEN and Michał Sołowow aimed at building small modular reactors (SMRs), faces potential liquidity issues due to ongoing shareholder disputes regarding technology licensing fees and ownership stakes in future projects.

Local environmental initiatives are also progressing, including the construction of a biogas plant in Bydgoszcz to process organic waste and a large-scale rainwater retention program in the same city. In Mrągowo, a pilot program for separate kitchen waste collection has launched to prepare for full implementation of new segregation rules by 2027.