Forms of Public Support for Energy Clusters. The Example of the Dolnośląskie Voivodship (Poland)

Beata Namyślak

doi:10.56583/br.2916

Published : 2025-12-03

Vol. 21 No. 1 (2025)

Forms of Public Support for Energy Clusters. The Example of the Dolnośląskie Voivodship (Poland)

Beata Namyślak

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6558-4383

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56583/br.2916

Abstract

The aim of the research was to determine the forms of support provided to energy clusters in Poland. The author sought to answer the following questions: what activities do energy clusters receive support for; whether the support obtained come from foreign (EU) or domestic funds; what the opinion of cluster facilitators is about access to public support; and how do energy clusters fit within the current cluster policy in Poland? The study area was the Dolnośląskie Voivodship — one of 16 administrative regions (NUTS 2) of Poland. The author selected this region because it has the largest number of energy clusters in Poland. The following methods were used to achieve the goal of the research goal: (1) a review of literature and industry reports, (2) a CAWI survey of clusters, and (3) interviews with cluster facilitators. Public support received by the surveyed clusters concerned either the commencement or the continuation of cluster activity. In the initial phase of the clusters’ activity, the support received concerned documentation work, the drafting of plans for the expansion of the power grid and the purchase of an energy monitoring and management system. At later stages of cluster development, the implemented projects mainly concerned the construction of ground-based PV farms and the construction of photovoltaic installations on the roofs of public utility buildings. Less frequently implemented projects included the thermal modernization of public buildings, hybrid investments (PV and wind turbines) and energy storage facilities. Additionally, educational projects were implemented. The public support received came mainly from EU funds (Operational Programs and the Interreg program). In turn, support from national funds came from the Voivodship Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, from local government funds or from the Polish Deal — i.e., the government’s program of strategic investments.

Keywords:

cluster energy, cluster energy public support, public support cluster policy

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Namyślak, B. (2025). Forms of Public Support for Energy Clusters. The Example of the Dolnośląskie Voivodship (Poland). Regional Barometer. Analyses & Prognoses, 21(1), 25–35. https://doi.org/10.56583/br.2916

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