Brussels, 01/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 30 June, the European Investment Bank (EIB) decided to grant two loans in Poland. The first, for the sum of PLN 450 million (about €110 million) is to finance the upgrading of regional transport infrastructure and rehabilitation of cultural heritage monuments in the £ódŸ Voivodship (Central Poland). The second, for PLN 75 million (approx. €18.5 million) is to support the rehabilitation and extension of priority roads in the Municipality of £ódŸ. The previous day, the Bank had, moreover announced its intention to grant a €50 million loan intended to co-fund projects contributing to the realisation of Polish projects aimed at increasing the use of renewable energy and at improving energy efficiency.
The loan of PLN 450 million will finance the implementation of priority projects included in the multiannual investment programme of the £ódŸ Voivodship, forming part of the regional development strategy for 2007-2020. This is the first EIB loan provided to the £ódŸ Voivodship. The loan of PLN 75 million will support urban transport development focused on the priority road projects included in the multiannual investment programme for economic cohesion 2007-2015 in the City of £ódŸ. This loan is a continuation of the successful cooperation between the EIB and the City of £ódŸ. The Bank had previously provided two loans to the City for co-financing municipal and environmental infrastructure and the implementation of projects in the areas of health and education.
The €50 million loan announced by the EIB on Tuesday will support projects promoting Poland's objectives of increased use of renewable energy and improved energy efficiency. This funding will support increased electricity production and heat generation from biomass and biogas-fired plants, while improving energy efficiency through the refurbishment of public buildings in Poland. This will contribute to the implementation of greening plans developed by the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOSIGW) in conjunction with green investment schemes that Poland has signed with Spain and Ireland, facilitated by the Multilateral Carbon Credit Fund. Green Investment Schemes enable Poland to invest the proceeds of the sale of carbon emission credits in greenhouse gas mitigation activities by channelling grants towards projects forming part of greening plans. Projects are selected by NFOSIGW on the basis of a competitive selection procedure. (O.L./transl.jl)