There is also good news in German-Polish relations, often of an economic nature. The German Chamber of Commerce (AHK) in Warsaw recently announced that Poland is the most attractive investment location for German entrepreneurs compared to other countries in Central and Eastern Europe as well as Russia and China. In addition, Poland is the fifth most important trading partner for Germany. In the annual AHK survey, an overwhelming majority of entrepreneurs stated that they would choose Poland as their location again.
The entrepreneurs seem rather unimpressed by the political situation and the tensions between the two governments. While in Slovakia, for example, foreign investors are worried about the fall of the government at the end of 2022 and the upcoming new elections, the parliamentary elections in Poland in the fall do not seem to worry anyone.
Now the next major German investment is pending. Bosch wants to set up a factory for heat pumps. It is to be built from 2024 in the Lower Silesian town of Dobromierz, in the Polish-Czech-German border area. Production is scheduled to begin at the turn of the year 2025/2026, and around 500 jobs could be created by 2027. On the occasion, the Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki revealed himself to be a fan of heat pumps and ecological heating solutions in general. The EUR 255 million investment will contribute to Poland’s energy transition, he said. By 2030, Bosch intends to spend one billion euros on the development and production of heat pumps at all European locations.
The Silesian region in particular, but also Kraków, are known for their bad air and smog in the cold autumn and winter months. This is not only due to the industry. For years, private organizations and environmental groups have denounced the old-fashioned stoves and heaters that still exist in many homes. Many people burn coal at home, also of inferior, cheaper quality and often just about anything that burns. The bad air is visible and makes you ill.
The new heating technology is not only “pro-ecological, but also pro-economic,” says the prime minister
In Poland, coal is primarily used for power generation and heating. In the energy transition, the government is now relying on more wind power and photovoltaics. However, according to the will of the right-wing populist PiS government, the main source of energy should be nuclear energy. The construction of a nuclear power plant on the Baltic Sea has already been decided. Since almost all parties in Poland are committed to nuclear power, a change in strategy is not to be expected, even under a possible new government after the autumn elections.
Like Germany, Poland now relies particularly on heat pumps for heating. This solution, says Prime Minister Morawiecki, is not only “pro-ecological but also pro-economic” and would undoubtedly reduce heating costs. The government has now launched a subsidy program to create incentives for the installation of heat pumps. Apartment and house owners can get up to €30,000 in government grants if they insulate their rooms and install environmentally friendly heating.
The plant planned by Bosch in Dobromierz is a good addition to this strategy. It will be a production plant, not a development center, but Morawiecki still hopes for a boost in innovation. Bosch has been present in Poland for 30 years and employs more than 8,500 people at five locations who manufacture household appliances and gears. Bosch is one of the most popular employers in Poland.
A Bosch spokeswoman named the “rapid supply chains to the target markets in Central Europe” as an argument for another location in Poland. Low logistics costs due to short transport routes would have a favorable effect on consumer prices, she says. In addition, the town of Dobromierz is only an hour’s drive from Wroclaw. There are universities and research institutes there, which is why good specialists can be found. The heat pump plant in Poland is to become part of the European manufacturing network of the Bosch Home Comfort Group. There are other locations in Germany, Sweden and Portugal.
Another advantage of the location is probably the special economic zone, of which there are 14 throughout Poland. Companies that settle here have to pay significantly less tax than in other places. The Wałbrzych special economic zone, in which the new Bosch plant is now to be built, is the most successful of the 14. The new Mercedes plant for e-vans is also being built here in Jawor.