Poland. Bank Ochrony Srodowiska

The 8-year-maturity loan programme totalling EUR 30 million has been provided for projects that improve the environment, providing in particular renewable energy solutions, energy-efficiency measures and wastewater treatment systems. The programme is aimed at private households and housing companies, municipalities and small- and medium-sized enterprises. Subloans are to fall into one of the following categories:

1. Wastewater projects aimed at reducing the environmental impacts: for instance, the modernisation of industrial buildings, adding more users to the wastewater treatment facility, and the installation of water treatment systems in residential buildings or industrial facilities.

2. Projects aimed at decreasing the impacts on agriculture: the production of biogas and improved fertiliser and manure handling.

3. Projects for municipal solid waste management: for instance, improving the separation of waste fractions and waste collection systems.

4. Projects for electricity generation with wind turbines.

5. Renovation of buildings to reduce emissions into the air and improve the energy efficiency of buildings or replace fossil fuel-based energy with renewable energy.

This would include the improvement of heating systems (connection to district heating system, heat pumps, ground heat, solar panels); the improvement of buildings’ insulation (changing windows, heat insulation of roofs, walls and floors); the improvement of air conditioning systems (connection to district cooling systems, the installation of heat recovery systems).

Bank Ochrony Srodowiska was established in 1991 by the government of Poland to secure financing on commercial terms for projects resulting in environmental improvements. The bank is specialised in providing services to the municipal sector as well as to the housing communities, co-operatives and retail customers.

The environmental loan programme aims to reduce emissions of phosphorus and nitrogen into the Baltic Sea, reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, and improve solid waste management. NIB has the possibility to supplement the loan programme with a technical assistance grant fund to support identification and development of projects relevant for the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan, which is in full compliance with NIB’s environmental mandate.  

Bank Ochrony Srodowiska will allocate 100% of the loan programme to renewable energy sources, energy efficiency measures and wastewater treatment systems. Bank Ochrony Srodowiska has an environmental policy and written procedures for environmental review.