In Poland, a curious poster campaign appeared on the streets of Warsaw and other cities. This controversial campaign focuses on rising energy prices in Poland. Since January 1, the price of gas has indeed increased by 54% and that of electricity by 24%. The message conveyed by these posters is quite clear: “EU climate policy = high energy prices”. It can also be read that the European “climate tax” is responsible for nearly 60% of energy production costs.
Officially, it is the Economic Association of Polish Power Plants (TGPE), which brings together twelve energy companies, which is behind this very critical campaign of the European Union. But according to the newspaper’s investigation Wirtualna Polska, only five of them put their hands in their pockets, for a budget of nearly 2,600,000 euros. However, these five companies are all controlled by the Polish State. The newspaper also adds that it is the Ministry of Public Goods which is at the origin of this campaign.
This display has aroused numerous criticisms among environmental NGOs and experts, even within the European Commission. In a magazine interview PolitykaEuropean Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson denounced a “regrettable campaign”, saying that in reality the cost of CO2 emissions was about 20% of the electricity bill for consumers. Moreover, this money then goes to the Polish state.
NGOs also point out that there would be less to pay if Poland had invested more in renewables and not relied 70% on coal. “It is this government and the previous ones that have chosen to use dirty, coal-based energy for years”analyzes Hanna Cichy, economist at Polityka Insight.
“We neglected the green transition and now we are paying the price.”
Hannah Cichy, economistfranceinfo
According to European Commission forecasts, Poland will face the highest inflation in the EU this year: 6.8%. At the beginning of the year, Warsaw has already experienced the largest price increase in the country for more than 20 years. The government has put in place an anti-inflation shield, reducing VAT on gas, electricity and even food products, but this is a short-term solution, according to economists.