Energy transformation is key to Poland's development - minister
Energy transformation, along with technological revolution, is the key area that will determine the competitiveness of the Polish economy, finance and economy minister has said.
Andrzej Domanski on Sunday took part in an event organised by the Civic Coalition, a new party that was formed a day earlier through a merger of the Civic Platform (PO), Nowoczesna and Polish Initiative, all three part of Poland's ruling coalition grouping.
The Civic Coalition politicians and experts met at the Copernicus Science Centre, where, under the slogan "Democracy of Equal Opportunities," they discussed challenges in the areas of security, economic competitiveness, and nuclear energy, among other topics.
During the panel entitled "Discussions on Development Challenges for Poland," Domanski said that Poland was currently the 20th largest economy in the world in terms of GDP per capita.
"We know perfectly well how we got to this point. Firstly, it's the bold reforms of the early 1990s that unleashed Polish entrepreneurship, and secondly, certainly, our membership in the European Union," he added.
Asked what should be the key action to increase the competitiveness of the Polish economy, Domanski mentioned the energy transformation and the technological revolution.
He also admitted that in both of these areas, Poland has "a lot to catch up on and a lot to achieve."
"Energy prices in Poland are still significantly higher than the average in the European Union, not to mention the United States or Asian countries," Domanski said. "Meanwhile, the adoption of IT solutions in Polish companies, not to mention AI, is significantly lower than the EU average."
He said that, in his opinion, Poland is currently the largest energy transition site in Europe.
"We are firmly determined to invest in the energy transition to finally bring energy prices down significantly. Because for Polish industry, for new Polish investments, the current energy prices... are difficult to accept," Domanski added.
The second area, he further argued, is the technological revolution.
"We have a lot of catching up to do, but there's often something to be said for the benefits of a late start, Domanski said.
He added that in the early 1990s, the average computer processing power in Poland was higher than in the United States "precisely because the process of purchasing new equipment began so quickly. Similarly, now we see an opportunity to capitalise on the fact that we're still below average, catch up, and quickly rise above average and become one of the leaders." (PAP)
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