Ecological loan – co-financing to increase the energy efficiency of companies

The Ecological Loan is an opportunity to combine business development, the introduction of modern, ecological technologies with care for the environment. It takes the form of an investment loan, the principal part of which is repaid by a subsidy, in the form of the so-called "environmental bonus". The co-financing amounts to up to 80% of the eligible costs of the investment, depending on the size of the company, its location and the type of state aid. Companies employing fewer than 3 thousand employees can apply for support. Due to the formula of support, it is mandatory to obtain a loan promise or a conditional agreement, which is offered by selected commercial banks, including Bank Millennium. The application is submitted to Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK).

The next edition of the Ecological Loan competition confirms that the demand for financing pro-ecological investments is constantly growing. We can see this in the number of projects submitted in the competition. In the first call, there were 345 applications, in the third there were 693, which is twice as many during the 2 years of the competition. The value of the requested funding also increased with each call. The value of applications in the third call is as much as PLN 2.3 billion, the value of co-financing awarded on the basis of these applications is PLN 794 million for 257 projects.

As a result of such great interest in the competition, its allocation has almost been exhausted. In the fourth call, which was planned from 24 October 2025 to 8 January 2026, the budget of the competition is PLN 350 million. It is worth noting, however, that BGK, which is the organiser of the competition, does not rule out an increase in the allocation.

The subject of the investments subject to co-financing has not changed in the new call. Companies can still finance the modernisation of their existing building and machinery infrastructure, while the modernisation must result in a reduction in primary energy consumption by at least 30% compared to current consumption. In addition, the project may include the use of renewable energy sources in the amount of max. 50% of eligible project expenditure, which is a novelty in the current call.

Simplifications have also been introduced in terms of the location of the projects. The possibility of carrying out projects on several plots that are not adjacent to each other has been allowed. They can be separated from each other, e.g. by a road, tracks or land belonging to another owner, provided that these properties are connected by the so-called internal energy connector, belonging to the company submitting the application for co-financing.

A success factor in obtaining co-financing is a properly conducted energy audit and/or energy efficiency audit. It defines whether thermal modernisation of the facility or only a replacement of machinery will be required, what system will be used in the field of, for example, RES or in terms of replacing heat sources that are necessary to carry out the investment.

It is also crucial to choose a partner who will guide the company through the application process in the competition and help in the selection of experts. At Bank Millennium, entrepreneurs can take advantage of the support of a team of experts at the EU Funds Competence Centre, who will help plan the investment, choose the best form of financing the investment with the use of EU funds, or as a supplement to financing under a loan or lease.

In addition, thanks to the cooperation with the Employers of Poland organisation, as part of the "Energy of Employers of Poland" project financed from the ELENA programme, the company can benefit from a 90% subsidy for audit costs and technical documentation.

Expert’s commentary - Laura Kloch, expert at the EU Funds Competence Centre at Bank Millennium.