Leading the charge toward a greener heat future

European Business: Mr. Szaliński, PEC Gliwice is celebrating its 55th anniversary. What major milestones define its development? 

Krzysztof Szaliński: A defining step has been our long‑term decarbonization planning. I played a key role in designing the roadmap, restructuring operations, and aligning the company with environmental and EU strategies. The transformation from coal to green energy is the most significant milestone in our history. 

European Business: What does PEC’s current energy mix look like, and what is the future target? 

Krzysztof Szaliński: Today we operate seven coal‑fired boilers and use cogeneration from industrial partners. Since 2018 we have been developing a new strategy, and since 2024 we’ve begun implementing it. Our goal is to maximize heat from local renewable sources – municipal waste, solar thermal energy, excess solar from private installations, and heat recovered from wastewater. Within a few years, we will move entirely off coal.

European Business: Waste‑to‑energy is central to your plans. How does this fit into a ‘green’ strategy? 

Krzysztof Szaliński: Much municipal waste is biodegradable, and today large volumes end up in landfills. By redirecting this fraction to high‑efficiency thermal treatment, we significantly reduce environmental impact. Yes, some CO2 remains — and we pay the associated fees — but by 2028 we expect emissions to fall by 70%, provided all investments progress as scheduled. 

European Business: Solar integration is another major component. Can you explain the solar projects? 

Krzysztof Szaliński: We are building Poland’s largest solar‑thermal farm, around 4 acres, producing hot water directly for the district heating network. Photovoltaics will support our own operations rather than feed the city, located mostly on local investors’ roofs because the main site is already fully occupied. 

European Business: Are you incorporating other renewable sources, like wind? 

Krzysztof Szaliński: We explored wind, but aviation authorities rejected the permits due to radar interference from turbines which would reach a height of 300 m. For Gliwice, solar and waste‑based heat recovery offer better and more feasible solutions. 

European Business: This is a large and costly transformation. How is it being financed?

Krzysztof Szaliński: The total investment is 150 million EUR. Around 70% of this sum comes from Poland’s National Fund for Environmental Protection, 15% from PEC Gliwice and the City of Gliwice as shareholder, and the rest has been raised from commercial banks. We prepared our own resources over years to ensure financial stability. 

European Business: How does the new Energy Park relate to the city’s existing infrastructure? 

Krzysztof Szaliński: Gliwice already has a well‑developed district heating system. Our task is to replace the heat source, not build new distribution networks. The Energy Park is located on a former ash‑dumping area — a brownfield site now repurposed for clean‑energy use — and includes a 12,000‑m3 high‑efficiency heat‑storage installation. 

European Business: What challenges have been the hardest to overcome? 

Krzysztof Szaliński: First, convincing the public. Second, navigating environmental and construction permits that had to align simultaneously. Third, securing institutional trust and financing at the national level. But strong municipal leadership has been crucial — our city authorities have shown both courage and vision.

European Business: How will digitalization and automation affect employment?

Krzysztof Szaliński: The new installations will be highly automated. While coal operations required large teams, the future system will need fewer people. We are not planning workforce growth; instead, we focus on efficiency and digital competence. Meanwhile, Gliwice’s special economic zone may offset job impacts from the upcoming coal‑mine closure.

European Business: When do you expect the full transformation to be complete?

Krzysztof Szaliński: We are confident about meeting the 2028 target. We have the budget, contractors, technology, and schedule in place. The only variable is geopolitical uncertainty, but we have accounted for risks.

European Business: PEC Gliwice has received recognition at EU level. What does this mean for the project?

Krzysztof Szaliński: The European Commission awarded Gliwice as a “future promising town” and our project was included as an example of best practice for other cities. We are proud of this — and we continue sharing our experience at conferences so others can learn from our model.