Industry in transition - ready to evolve!

The transformation of energy, transport and renewable energy sources were the most important topics discussed during the second day of the European Industry and Energy Congress Industry in Transition in Katowice.  During the meeting of economic, political and scientific circles, recipes were sought for the most important problems of the modern economy.

The first European Industry and Energy Congress Industry in Transition has come to an end at the International Congress Center in Katowice. Participants in the two-day meeting focused on industrial and energy transformation, the biggest challenge facing the domestic economy in Poland's modern history.

One of the drivers of the transformation is innovation. Companies betting on them must be rewarded, their solutions introduced, and good practices publicized. That is why the business circles of the Silesian province - representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice, the province's marshal, Silesian parliamentarians - decided to award the “Inspirator of the Year” prize.
Industry in Transition was the occasion for the premiere presentation of the award. The first laurel, inspired and funded by the Industrial Development Agency SA, was given to former Prime Minister and President of the European Parliament Prof. Jerzy Buzek.

- A man who changed Poland and Europe. As Prime Minister, he started negotiations with the European Union and brought Poland into NATO. One of the five most influential people in European energy policy. He received the “MEP of the Year” award three times. He has always supported Silesian entrepreneurs, contributing to the economic growth and innovative development of the region. His commitment to the promotion of local business and the creation of a friendly environment for entrepreneurship is invaluable - the laudation in honor of Prof. Buzek said.

The first Inspirator went to a man whose support in creating a friendly environment for entrepreneurship, especially in Silesia, is invaluable, but the next ones - as the originators of this award declared - will go to entrepreneurs.

- This award will initiate a cycle whose patron will be the Industrial Development Agency. Its goal will be to implement the most innovative solutions in industry and technology - noted Michal Dabrowski, president of the Industrial Development Agency SA.

The second day of the European Industry and Energy Congress was spent discussing the development of trans-European energy networks and the prospects for the development of alternative energy sources, such as green hydrogen.

The market of energy producer and consumer is individualizing, so the regulations governing the operation of renewable energy sources must be understandable to the average consumer, according to participants in the discussion of EU and Polish experience in shaping a stable legal framework for the RES market.

- For years we have been accustomed to the fact that energy laws are created for the power industry. Today we are in a situation where it should be created from the point of view of consumers - said Artur Sarosiek, managing director of Energy Solutions sp. z o. o.

Efficiency in Polish conditions with solar energy, biomass and biofuels, wind energy, but also financing of RES was a concern for Industry in Transition participants.

- The instability of the rules, even aid rules, is crucial, because why should anyone else subsidize biomass heat - explained Sławomir Jankowski, president of the Veolia Group-owned Water and Sewage Company in Tarnowskie Góry.

The European Industry in Transition Energy Congress is a new event on the congressional map of Poland. The congress is organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice, organizer of the European Congress of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and the European Steel Congress, among others.