Cities and Municipalities in the Green Energy Transformation Process – Polish nationwide /Jadwisin 2025 seminar

This year's seminar, held on May 15-16 in Jadwisin, brought together over 80 representatives of local governments, institutes, foundations, and associations from all over Poland. Its main theme was the role of cities and municipalities in the process of green energy transformation, with particular emphasis on the challenges and opportunities arising from European and national climate and energy policies. Opportunities and examples of using renewable energy sources (RES) and methods for increasing energy efficiency in heating systems and the construction sector were also addressed. Participants explored and discussed these issues during expert presentations, a panel discussion, and good practice sessions held in small-groups.

The seminar was opened by Artur Borkowski – Mayor of the City and Municipality of Serock, Leszek Drogosz – President of the Board of the Association of Municipalities Polish Network "Energie Cités" and Director of the Infrastructure Office of the City of Warsaw, and Anna Jaskuła – Director of the Association's office.

A. Borkowski emphasized the importance of cooperation and seeking common solutions in the context of climate challenges, while L. Drogosz encouraged the audience to continuously develop and share knowledge, pointing out that cooperation and conscious actions are key to achieving climate and energy goals.

The session dedicated to the challenges and pathways of European and local energy transformation was opened by Dr. Andrzej Kassenberg from the Institute for Sustainable Development Foundation, who discussed the most important energy dilemmas facing the world and Europe up to 2050, as well as the key elements of an effective and implementable local energy strategy and the conditions for its development. Subsequently, Marta Anczewska from the Reform Institute presented the objectives, legal conditions, and planned timetable for designating accelerated renewable energy development areas, and indicated what actions municipalities can take in this regard.

The panel discussion on the potential of energy transformation in Polish local governments, moderated by Leszek Drogosz (the City of Warsaw), included: Marta Anczewska (Reform Institute), Andrzej Kassenberg (Institute for Sustainable Development), Rafał Zwolak (Mayor of Zamość), Grzegorz Grzybczyk (the City of Kraków), and Sebastian Górka (the City of Włocławek). Representatives of local governments presented their ongoing activities supporting the transition to cleaner and more efficient energy sources and stimulating sustainable, low-emission urban development. Rafał Zwolak mentioned a photovoltaic farm that powers electric buses in Zamość; the development of zero-emission public transport, the construction of bicycle paths, and the promotion of cycling and education for residents of all ages.

Grzegorz Grzybczyk reminded attendees that Kraków has joined the EU initiative "European Mission: 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities," under which the NEEST pilot project is being implemented. Work is being finalized on developing a publicly accessible City Energy System Simulator, which will analyze a wide range of data on energy generation and supply systems and available technological possibilities. It will also enable the design of urban changes (both demographic and topographical) along with financial analysis, which will help in selecting optimal solutions. Furthermore, thanks to the citizen initiative of the Kraków Climate Panel, which first took place in 2021, residents collectively sought answers to the question of how they can, in cooperation with city authorities, reduce energy consumption and increase the use of renewable energy. One of the results of this initiative is the Kraków Climate Education Center, which daily educates and supports residents in climate actions.

The "Ciepło Cię widzieć" ("Good to see you warmly") program implemented in Włocławek is an example of how residents can be activated and educated. The information and educational role is also served by the "Czyste powietrze" ( "Clean air") program's consultation point, which, thanks to its transfer to a non-governmental organization, has a much wider reach and accessibility. A comprehensive approach to thermal modernization of existing buildings and the construction of the new ones in Włocławek, and the planned diversification of sources in two heating systems express the city's aspiration for energy independence and improved efficient energy use.

Participants agreed that local governments face many challenges related to energy transformation. Particularly crucial is the support for small towns, which – according to Andrzej Kassenberg – is expressed in educating municipal employees at all levels of management, building local energy security through broad cooperation of local stakeholders, breaking the monopoly of giants, and seeking solutions that will benefit all entities.

Marta Anczewska emphasized that the activities of local governments in the context of combating climate change are crucial, which is why it is necessary to translate national policies into concrete actions in municipalities through clear and consistent communication, cooperation, and multi-level management. She also drew attention to the importance of cooperation with and among non-governmental organizations.

The afternoon session focused on the use of RES, illustrated by good practices implemented in selected local governments. Paweł Adamów from the Konin City Council described the characteristics of a Green Energy City, where heat is produced almost entirely from renewable energy sources, also used in transport and powering municipal and private facilities. Kamil Kwiatkowski from Euros Energy discussed the use of RES in the Future Heat Plant in Lidzbark Warmiński, and Grzegorz Grzybczyk from the Kraków City Council presented Kraków's path to climate neutrality and the objective and main assumptions of the Climate Contract.

After a break, participants were invited to a tabletop session, where in smaller groups they could benefit from the experience of invited experts related to local actions supporting green transformation.

Izabela Kuśnierz from the Association addressed the topic of efficient heating systems, exemplified by PEC Płońsk, presented by Jarosław Osiak, coordinator of the Płońsk Energy Cluster. She also presented tools prepared by the LIFE Support DHC project consortium to help DHC operators develop decarbonization strategies in line with EU (EED) requirements and concrete investment plans for using RES and waste heat. With Tomasz Bońdos from the Bydgoszcz City Council, participants had the opportunity to discuss whether energy self-sufficient municipalities are a utopia or a realistic possibility. In turn, Anna Szewczyk from the Niepołomice City and Municipality Office and Urszula Baczyńska-Śleziak from the Kęty Municipality Office discussed how resident engagement in energy communities looks. At the table led by Marcin Łojek from the Pałecznica Municipality Office, participants could learn about the operation of an intelligent tool supporting the creation of climate scenarios.

The first day of the seminar concluded with the General Meeting of the Association Members, attended by representatives of member municipalities and cities, as well as other seminar participants interested in cooperation and membership.

The second day of the seminar, dedicated to new regulations and solutions in the field of energy efficiency, began with a presentation by Igor Tatarewicz from the National Centre for Emissions Management, who discussed the predicted consequences of implementing the second pillar of ETS in the building sector and the impact of introducing this system on household budgets. The Social Climate Fund, intended to mitigate the effects of the expanded European Emissions Trading System (EU ETS2) in the European Union, is expected to address the increase in heating costs and the problem of energy poverty. Justyna Glusman, Deputy Mayor of the Ochota district of Warsaw, familiarized the audience with the draft Social and Climate Plan, its objectives and planned actions in the building sector, as well as the barriers, risks, and recommendations related to its development and fund management. Jan Ruszkowski from Fala Renowacji (Renovation Wave) spoke about who and how can support the energy efficiency of public buildings, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive energy modernization and providing examples of successful implementations. The final presentation on intersectoral cooperation enabling more efficient energy use was delivered by Szymon Liszka from the Foundation for Efficient Energy Use.

During the second tabletop session, issues and good practices related to transformation pathways were discussed. Anna Ignatowicz from the Serock City and Municipality Office presented how citizen and business support is provided at the Clean Energy Advisory Center in Serock. In turn, Justyna Mazurkiewicz and Katarzyna Jasińska from the Marshal's Office of the Małopolskie Voivodeship discussed with participants how local climate and energy plans can help municipalities in the transformation process. At the last table, Izabela Kuśnierz from the Association presented comprehensive energy consulting using the One-Stop-Shop concept, as well as the training and innovative tools available to public administration employees, energy agencies, and local advisors and specialists in energy efficiency to help create such services.

The seminar "Cities and Municipalities in the Green Energy Transformation Process" was a wonderful opportunity to expand knowledge, establish new contacts, exchange experiences, and engage in inspiring discussions. We sincerely thank all representatives of local authorities, experts, and speakers for participating in this event and invite you to use the materials provided below.

Agenda

Presentations

Day 1

1. Wyzwania i ścieżki europejskiej i lokalnej transformacji energetycznej , Andrzej KASSENBERG, Fundacja Instytut na rzecz Ekorozwoju
2. Obszary przyspieszonego rozwoju OZE – cele i uwarunkowania prawne , Marta ANCZEWSKA, Instytut Reform
3. Zielone Miasto Energii – OZE w Koninie , Paweł ADAMÓW, zastępca prezydenta, Urząd Miejski w Koninie
4. Wykorzystanie OZE w Ciepłowni Przyszłości w Lidzbarku Warmińskim , Kamil KWIATKOWSKI, Euros Energy Sp. z o. o.
5. Jak Kraków realizuje europejską misję miasta inteligentnego i neutralnego dla klimatu? , Grzegorz GRZYBCZYK, Urząd Miasta Krakowa
6. Efektywne systemy ciepłownicze w praktyce , Izabela KUŚNIERZ, Stowarzyszenie Gmin Polska Sieć „Energie Cités”
7. Przyspieszenie wprowadzania zdekarbonizowanych rozwiązań grzewczych i chłodniczych , Iwona KOROHODA, Stowarzyszenie Gmin Polska Sieć „Energie Cités”
8. Efektywne systemy energetyczne na przykładzie PEC w Płońsku , Jarosław OSIAK, Fundacja Płońska Energia
9. Angażowanie mieszkańców w działanie wspólnot energetycznych , Anna SZEWCZYK, Urząd Miasta i Gminy Niepołomice, Urszula BACZYŃSKA-ŚLEZIAK, Urząd Gminy Kęty
10. Inteligentne narzędzie wspierające tworzenie scenariuszy klimatycznych , Marcin ŁOJEK, Urząd Gminy Pałecznica

Day 2

1. Jak implementacja drugiego filaru ETS wpłynie na sektor budynków? , Igor TATAREWICZ, Krajowy Ośrodek Bilansowania i Zarządzania Emisjami
2. Użytkownicy budynków jako beneficjenci Społecznego Planu Klimatycznego , Justyna GLUSMAN, zastępczyni burmistrza, Urząd Dzielnicy Ochota m.st. Warszawy
3. Jak wspierać efektywność energetyczną budynków publicznych? , Jan RUSZKOWSKI, Fala Renowacji
4. Międzysektorowa współpraca dla bardziej efektywnego wykorzystania energii , Szymon LISZKA, Fundacja na rzecz Efektywnego Wykorzystania Energii
5. Wsparcie obywateli i przedsiębiorstw w Centrum Doradczym ds. Czystej Energii w Serocku , Anna IGNATOWICZ, Urząd Miasta i Gminy w Serocku
6. Jak lokalne plany na rzecz klimatu i energii mogą pomóc gminom w procesie transformacji? , Justyna MAZURKIEWICZ, Katarzyna JASIŃSKA, Urząd Marszałkowski Województwa Małopolskiego
7. Kompleksowe doradztwo energetyczne z wykorzystaniem koncepcji One-Stop-Shop , Izabela KUŚNIERZ, Stowarzyszenie Gmin Polska Sieć „Energie Cités”

Gallery

Seminarium jest organizowane w ramach: działania publicznego pt. Przeprowadzenie działań szkoleniowo-doradczych oraz analitycznych w  obszarze budowania zdolności administracyjnych w zakresie zielonej i energetycznej transformacji na rzecz administracji lokalnej” w ramach Inwestycji G1.1.4 – Wsparcie dla instytucji wdrażających reformy i  inwestycje w ramach REPowerEU w ramach planu rozwojowego, o którym mowa w Rozdziale 2aa ustawy z dnia 6 grudnia 2006 r. o zasadach prowadzenia polityki rozwoju (Dz.U. z 2024 r. poz. 324, z późn. zm.) i  przewidzianego w tej Inwestycji wskaźnika G8G oraz projektu CommitClimate (W drodze do transformacji energetycznej i neutralności klimatycznej w gminach Regionu Morza Bałtyckiego), finansowanego z programu Interreg Region Morza Bałtyckiego o numerze #C026; projektu OUR-CEE (Skuteczne zapobieganie nieefektywnym renowacjom w Europie Środkowej i Wschodniej), finansowanego z instrumentu Europejska Inicjatywa Klimatyczna (European Climate Initiative - EUKI) o numerze grantu 81302186, a także projektów finansowanych w ramach programu LIFE+: OwnYourSECAP (Wsparcie władz regionalnych i lokalnych w opracowaniu i wdrażaniu Planu SECAP, grant nr 101077109), projektu SUPPORT DHC (Wspieranie wykorzystania niskotemperaturowych źródeł ciepła odpadowego i energii odnawialnej w systemach ciepłowniczych i chłodniczych, grant nr 101119914) oraz projektu BUSHROSSs (Podnoszenie kwalifikacji wspierających rozwój doradztwa w obszarze efektywności energetycznej i renowacji budynków prywatnych, grant nr 101167619)