Electric bicycles with subsidies from the Ministry, now we are waiting for electric lawnmowers and maybe juicers…

The dynamic development of energy transition assistance programs has touched “My Current” and we will just have a new grant opportunity… for electric bicycles. Up to 5 thousand zloty for individuals and almost 50 thousand electric bicycles (including cargo) in the subsidy program. Always, subsidies for transformations are justified in two ways – that they either reduce CO2 emissions by moving away from fossil fuels, or that they also increase the capacity of Polish industry.  For bicycles in individuals, it’s hard to talk about any reduction in the carbon footprint – here we’re rather swapping muscle work and building physical stamina for the work of socket-charged batteries, but the program is sure to be welcomed with enthusiasm by wholesalers of electric bicycles perhaps partially assembled in Poland, but certainly with a huge share of Chinese components. Encouraged by the momentum of “My Current” development and the impact on reducing Poland’s carbon footprint, I suggest not stopping and taking the next steps. And electric lawn mowers? Millions of gasoline-powered, loudly whirring lawn mowers could be replaced with electric ones. With a subsidy of, say, up to 2,000 zloty at a time for one household, we could reduce the country’s CO2 emissions by hundreds of thousands of kilograms per year. And how pleasant it would be – there would be an end to the noise of lawnmowers on the estate just after 5 pm, when everyone is returning from work. Maybe it’s worth going even further? Maybe it’s worth subsidizing home appliance manufacturers? For example, portable hair dryers (subsidy of up to PLN 300) or camping battery juicers (subsidy of up to PLN 700 per family)? These are both environmentally friendly and healthy solutions, as well as beneficial to industry development. I think that in the next quarters, the next iterations of the “My Current” program will surprise us no more.

Mines to be liquidated, but no one will lose their jobs – that is, the perpetual motion machine of mining transformation

The transformation of the mining industry, for which the Ministry of Industry is responsible, is entering a phase of acceleration and innovation. Although there is still a lack of EU notification on the mining aid program, which prevents the transfer of PLN 7 billion to a sector that has just entered a phase of galloping financial losses (already nearly PLN 0.6 billion in 2024), the last word has not yet been said. However, there are proposals for radical changes – a decision has just been made to halt production at one of the mines early. This promises a dynamic reduction in mining, but with an innovative approach to employment, as it has been announced that no one at the closed mine will lose their job. Although according to the old program, mine extinction is scheduled for 2049, there is no contradiction here. Perhaps an innovative approach will be used, which is to close the mines earlier while guaranteeing that no one will lose their job until 2049. This meets with the approval of all 21 unions. The most interesting thing about this intriguing concept is that it could be economically viable. The remnants of the coal-fired power industry will be supplied with imported coal, as mining of expensive coal in Polish mines will be halted. Existing crews will continue to work, despite the closure of the mines, thanks to funding from the aid program. Fortunately, few people remember the paradoxes of socialist economics, as it is difficult to judge when the situation was more satirical.