The 3rd edition of the Industry and Energy Congress has begun. The event, organised on 26–27 March 2026 in Wisła by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice, was intended to serve as a key forum for debate on the reindustrialisation of Europe, economic security, the energy sector and new technologies. However, the very first day revealed something more: companies today are not looking for further declarations, but for predictable energy prices, stable regulations and investments that genuinely strengthen Polish industry.
Industry wants investment, not presentations
The opening of the first day of the Industry and Energy Congress had a distinctly practical tone. The prevailing view was that geopolitical, cost and regulatory uncertainties are on the rise. At the same time, the argument that industry, energy and defence cannot be treated separately today was strongly emphasised. It is precisely this triad that will determine the resilience of the state and the competitiveness of the economy. The official congress programme also points in this direction: from industrial competitiveness, through dual-use and local content, to transport, electromobility and technologies that reduce energy costs.
Tomasz Zjawiony, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice, set a strong tone for the event from the outset.
– We cannot allow a situation in which Europe becomes the world’s greenest importer. Energy and industrial security are built on real investments, not presentations – emphasised the event organiser.
This statement aptly captured the mood of the entire opening ceremony. Participants did not question the need for the transition, but asked about its pace, costs and impact on the competitiveness of European companies.
Local authorities and representatives of local government were also in attendance.
– Local government is not standing on the sidelines of this transformation; key decisions are also made here, which is why synergy, partnership and cooperation are so important – said Tomasz Bujok, Mayor of Wisła.
This is an important point, as the first day of the Industry and Energy Congress showed that without cooperation between government, business, academia and local authorities, it will be difficult to move from debate to implementation.
Competitiveness starts with energy
One of the strongest themes of the first day was the competitiveness of European industry vis-à-vis the US and Asia. Three words kept cropping up in the panels and summaries: energy, predictability and technology. Participants agreed that for investors, it is no longer just the price of energy that matters, but also its availability and security of supply. At the same time, there were calls to amend those regulations that weaken industry faster than they strengthen the transition.
An important conclusion emerges from these statements: the transition cannot be based solely on the costs imposed on industry. It must simultaneously build technological advantages, strengthen smart grids, support energy efficiency and protect the manufacturing base. This is precisely why the focus has been not only on renewable energy sources, but also on energy storage, digitalisation, local content and the resilience of supply chains.
Polish companies want a greater share in major investments
The issue of Polish companies’ involvement in strategic energy projects also featured prominently. The panel discussion on major investments in the Polish energy sector showed that the question is no longer whether billions will be spent, but whether they will be spent in a way that strengthens national expertise, jobs and technologies. The discussion focused not only on local content, but also on quality, supply chain security, longer-term contracts and better links between academia and industry.
WIn this context, the views of representatives from state-owned companies were significant.
– Hydropower is a forgotten renewable energy source that can strengthen Poland’s energy mix, Polish companies and system security for decades to come – noted Magdalena Żmuda from GPW Wody Polskie.
This is a valuable perspective, as on the first day of the Industry and Energy Congress there was much talk of new technologies, but at the same time it was pointed out that the transition should also make use of existing infrastructure, domestic expertise and long-standing solutions.
The transition is intended to reduce bills, not merely meet targets
Energy-saving technologies, on-site energy generation and storage were also key topics on the first day. It was emphasised during the discussions that, for industry, the transition is no longer merely a climate initiative. It has become a hard-nosed business calculation. Companies want lower bills, greater predictability and less dependence on external price shocks. This is why calls for PPAs, self-generation, energy storage, EMS systems and diversification of sources came up so frequently.
It was here that one of the more practical messages of the day was delivered: a lack of action in the area of energy self-sufficiency is becoming a strategic risk for companies. The conclusions were clear. Firstly, companies must move more quickly from passively purchasing energy to actively managing it. Secondly, the state should streamline procedures and facilitate financing. Thirdly, energy storage and control systems are not an add-on, but a prerequisite for the genuine modernisation of industry.
Public transport and electromobility need a coherent model
The panel on transport and electromobility also sparked a great deal of interest. On the one hand, there was a strong belief in new business models, smart charging and the integration of energy with mobility. On the other hand, participants pointed out that not every technology is equally mature and cost-effective today. However, the focus was not on trends, but on economics, infrastructure and system security.
– Public transport and the maximum electrification of the railways remain the most environmentally friendly and cheapest options – emphasised Krzysztof Klimosz, CEO of Koleje Śląskie.
This is an important point, as it neatly resolves one of the main points of contention from the first day: the transition must be cost-effective, not based on the most expensive experiments.
– Electromobility cannot succeed without a comprehensive approach: networks, incentives, local authorities, data and a well-understood customer – argued Marcin Styrna, Vice-President of the Management Board of TAURON Nowe Technologie S.A.
This view clearly demonstrates that the development of electromobility no longer depends solely on the number of chargers. A coherent model is needed that combines infrastructure, pricing, services, data and local authorities. Otherwise, the pace of change will be too slow to build a competitive advantage.
What recommendations have emerged following the first day of the Industry and Energy Congress?
The transformation of industry and energy must definitely be based on cheap, stable and predictable energy. Furthermore, Poland should place greater emphasis on local content, quality and security of supply in major investments. There is also a need for faster integration of science, industry and financing to shorten the path from project to implementation. Companies must also invest in their own energy sources, storage facilities and management systems. Furthermore, the transport transition should strengthen public transport, railways and sensibly developed electromobility, rather than multiplying costly half-measures.
If the first day of the Industry and Energy Congress had one common message: the future does not belong to those who speak loudest about the transition, but to those who can combine security, competitiveness and real investment. And it was with this expectation that participants entered the second day of debates.
