IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v16y2023i4p2031-d1072892.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Structural and Investment Funds of the European Union as an Instrument for Creating a Low-Carbon Economy by Selected Companies of the Energy Sector in Poland

Author

Listed:
  • Agnieszka Dembicka-Niemiec

    (Faculty of Economics, University of Opole, 45-040 Opole, Poland)

  • Edyta Szafranek-Stefaniuk

    (Faculty of Economics, University of Opole, 45-040 Opole, Poland)

  • Antonina Kalinichenko

    (Faculty of Economics, University of Opole, 45-040 Opole, Poland)

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to identify the scope of the use of EU funds for the formation of a low-carbon economy by enterprises providing energy services in Poland in 2014–2020. As a result of the identification, a model for the use of EU funds based on the following criteria was identified: the purpose of the investment, the type of fund, the type of support program, the range of support values and the form and level of funding. As a research gap has been identified due to the insufficient investigation of the use of EU funds by the largest energy companies in Poland to shape a low-carbon economy, the findings presented are novel and contribute to a better understanding of the use of EU funds by Poland’s largest energy sector companies. Data on investment projects financed by EU funds were obtained from the database of the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy for 2014–2020, while the characteristics of the companies were obtained from industry reports, the National Court Register and the Central Statistical Office. The results showed that EU funds were important in the financing of investments by the largest energy companies to decarbonize the economy. The analysis showed that the surveyed companies were pursuing the goals of Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council for energy efficiency, primarily concerning a low-carbon economy. Most EU aid funds were used for infrastructure investments, including those related to renewable energy sources. Little use has been made of EU funds for innovation and public awareness.

Suggested Citation

  • Agnieszka Dembicka-Niemiec & Edyta Szafranek-Stefaniuk & Antonina Kalinichenko, 2023. "Structural and Investment Funds of the European Union as an Instrument for Creating a Low-Carbon Economy by Selected Companies of the Energy Sector in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-21, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:4:p:2031-:d:1072892
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/4/2031/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/4/2031/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Federica Cucchiella & Alessia Condemi & Marianna Rotilio & Valeria Annibaldi, 2021. "Energy Transitions in Western European Countries: Regulation Comparative Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-23, July.
    2. Kern, Florian & Rogge, Karoline S. & Howlett, Michael, 2019. "Policy mixes for sustainability transitions: New approaches and insights through bridging innovation and policy studies," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(10).
    3. Wojciech J. Florkowski & Joanna Rakowska, 2022. "Review of Regional Renewable Energy Investment Projects: The Example of EU Cohesion Funds Dispersal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-23, December.
    4. Cortez, Maria Céu & Andrade, Nuno & Silva, Florinda, 2022. "The environmental and financial performance of green energy investments: European evidence," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    5. Streimikiene, Dalia & Klevas, Valentinas & Bubeliene, Jolanta, 2007. "Use of EU structural funds for sustainable energy development in new EU member states," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 11(6), pages 1167-1187, August.
    6. Jan K. Kazak & Joanna A. Kamińska & Rafał Madej & Marta Bochenkiewicz, 2020. "Where Renewable Energy Sources Funds are Invested? Spatial Analysis of Energy Production Potential and Public Support," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-26, October.
    7. Piotr F. Borowski, 2021. "Digitization, Digital Twins, Blockchain, and Industry 4.0 as Elements of Management Process in Enterprises in the Energy Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-20, March.
    8. Yael Parag & Benjamin K. Sovacool, 2016. "Electricity market design for the prosumer era," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 1(4), pages 1-6, April.
    9. Asma Khatoon & Piyush Verma & Jo Southernwood & Beth Massey & Peter Corcoran, 2019. "Blockchain in Energy Efficiency: Potential Applications and Benefits," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-14, August.
    10. Raphael Bointner & Simon Pezzutto & Gianluca Grilli & Wolfram Sparber, 2016. "Financing Innovations for the Renewable Energy Transition in Europe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-16, November.
    11. Jacek Jaworski & Leszek Czerwonka, 2021. "Determinants of Enterprises’ Capital Structure in Energy Industry: Evidence from European Union," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-21, March.
    12. Aldona Standar & Agnieszka Kozera & Dawid Jabkowski, 2022. "The Role of Large Cities in the Development of Low-Carbon Economy—The Example of Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-17, January.
    13. Sorrell, Steve, 2009. "Jevons' Paradox revisited: The evidence for backfire from improved energy efficiency," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(4), pages 1456-1469, April.
    14. Wolsink, Maarten, 2020. "Distributed energy systems as common goods: Socio-political acceptance of renewables in intelligent microgrids," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    15. Chiara Candelise & Gianluca Ruggieri, 2020. "Status and Evolution of the Community Energy Sector in Italy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-22, April.
    16. Carfora, Alfonso & Romano, Antonio A. & Ronghi, Monica & Scandurra, Giuseppe, 2017. "Renewable generation across Italian regions: Spillover effects and effectiveness of European Regional Fund," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 132-141.
    17. Sterlacchini, Alessandro, 2012. "Energy R&D in private and state-owned utilities: An analysis of the major world electric companies," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 494-506.
    18. Dinda, Soumyananda, 2004. "Environmental Kuznets Curve Hypothesis: A Survey," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 49(4), pages 431-455, August.
    19. Ionel Bostan & Andrei-Alexandru Moroşan & Cristian-Valentin Hapenciuc & Pavel Stanciu & Iulian Condratov, 2022. "Are Structural Funds a Real Solution for Regional Development in the European Union? A Study on the Northeast Region of Romania," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-18, May.
    20. Aldona Standar & Agnieszka Kozera & Łukasz Satoła, 2021. "The Importance of Local Investments Co-Financed by the European Union in the Field of Renewable Energy Sources in Rural Areas of Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-23, January.
    21. Bertoldi, Paolo & Rezessy, Silvia & Vine, Edward, 2006. "Energy service companies in European countries: Current status and a strategy to foster their development," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(14), pages 1818-1832, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Dagmara Kociuba & Maciej Janczak, 2024. "Effects of the Disbursement of EU Cohesion Policy 2014–2020 Funds on Improving the Energy Efficiency of Buildings in Poland and Germany," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-23, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Aldona Standar & Agnieszka Kozera & Łukasz Satoła, 2021. "The Importance of Local Investments Co-Financed by the European Union in the Field of Renewable Energy Sources in Rural Areas of Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-23, January.
    2. Iwona Bąk & Anna Spoz & Magdalena Zioło & Marek Dylewski, 2021. "Dynamic Analysis of the Similarity of Objects in Research on the Use of Renewable Energy Resources in European Union Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-24, July.
    3. Lange, Steffen & Pohl, Johanna & Santarius, Tilman, 2020. "Digitalization and energy consumption. Does ICT reduce energy demand?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    4. Maarten Wolsink, 2020. "Framing in Renewable Energy Policies: A Glossary," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-31, June.
    5. Myriam Caratù & Valerio Brescia & Ilaria Pigliautile & Paolo Biancone, 2023. "Assessing Energy Communities’ Awareness on Social Media with a Content and Sentiment Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-28, April.
    6. Fang, Wen Shwo & Miller, Stephen M. & Yeh, Chih-Chuan, 2012. "The effect of ESCOs on energy use," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 558-568.
    7. Jenny Palm, 2021. "The Transposition of Energy Communities into Swedish Regulations: Overview and Critique of Emerging Regulations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-15, August.
    8. Hannon, Matthew J. & Foxon, Timothy J. & Gale, William F., 2013. "The co-evolutionary relationship between Energy Service Companies and the UK energy system: Implications for a low-carbon transition," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 1031-1045.
    9. Coilín ÓhAiseadha & Gerré Quinn & Ronan Connolly & Michael Connolly & Willie Soon, 2020. "Energy and Climate Policy—An Evaluation of Global Climate Change Expenditure 2011–2018," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-49, September.
    10. Kemp-Benedict, Eric, 2018. "Dematerialization, Decoupling, and Productivity Change," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 204-216.
    11. Piotr Olczak & Dominik Kryzia & Dominika Matuszewska & Marta Kuta, 2021. "“My Electricity” Program Effectiveness Supporting the Development of PV Installation in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, January.
    12. Robert Szydło & Sylwia Wiśniewska & Małgorzata Tyrańska & Anna Dolot & Urszula Bukowska & Marek Koczyński, 2021. "Employer Expectations Regarding the Competencies of Employees on the Energy Market in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-21, November.
    13. Marek Furmankiewicz & Richard J. Hewitt & Andrzej Kapusta & Iga Solecka, 2021. "Climate Change Challenges and Community-Led Development Strategies: Do They Fit Together in Fisheries Regions?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-21, October.
    14. Javier Parra-Domínguez & Esteban Sánchez & Ángel Ordóñez, 2023. "The Prosumer: A Systematic Review of the New Paradigm in Energy and Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-44, July.
    15. Kocsis, Tamás, 2010. ""Hajózni muszáj!" A GDP, az ökológiai lábnyom és a szubjektív jóllét stratégiai összefüggései [Navigare necesse est." The connections between GDP, ecological footprint, and subjectiv," Közgazdasági Szemle (Economic Review - monthly of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences), Közgazdasági Szemle Alapítvány (Economic Review Foundation), vol. 0(6), pages 536-554.
    16. Consolación Quintana-Rojo & Fernando-Evaristo Callejas-Albiñana & Miguel-Ángel Tarancón & Isabel Martínez-Rodríguez, 2020. "Econometric Studies on the Development of Renewable Energy Sources to Support the European Union 2020–2030 Climate and Energy Framework: A Critical Appraisal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-26, June.
    17. Joanna Rakowska & Mariusz Maciejczak & Iwona M. Batyk & Eliza Farelnik, 2022. "Rural–Urban Differences in Solar Renewable Energy Investments Supported by Public Finance in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-19, November.
    18. WenShwo Fang & Stephen M. Miller, 2013. "The effect of ESCO s on carbon dioxide emissions," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(34), pages 4796-4804, December.
    19. Minuto, Francesco Demetrio & Lanzini, Andrea, 2022. "Energy-sharing mechanisms for energy community members under different asset ownership schemes and user demand profiles," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    20. Arsani Alina & Stefan George, 2024. "Energy Transition and European Sub-Models. Restructuring EU Economy," Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, Sciendo, vol. 18(1), pages 86-101.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:4:p:2031-:d:1072892. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.