The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is strengthening the growth of renewable energy in Poland through a €85 million equity investment in Virya Renewables Poland, a new renewable energy platform focused on developing clean-energy assets in the country. This investment is made alongside Belgium-based Virya Energy, an international company active across the full lifecycle of green energy projects.
The joint investment will allow Virya Renewables Poland to acquire, build, and operate a broad portfolio of renewable projects currently held by Optima Wind. The transaction covers the financing, construction, and long-term operation of the Sidłowo and Kikowo II solar PV parks—two fully permitted, grid-connected projects originally developed by Optima Wind.
Once operational, the Sidłowo and Kikowo II parks are expected to form the largest solar PV cluster in Poland and one of the largest in Europe. Together, they are projected to generate 666 GWh of clean electricity each year, reducing more than 477,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually. This major addition of renewable capacity will support both Poland’s and the European Union’s efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and increase renewable energy generation.
Alongside its equity investment, the EBRD will also support Virya Renewables Poland in strengthening its organisational capabilities. This includes helping the new platform develop a Corporate Governance Action Plan and a Supply Chain Management System to improve oversight, sustainability practices, and cybersecurity as the combined Virya and Optima Wind teams advance the renewable project portfolio and begin constructing the new solar parks.
Andreea Moraru, EBRD Head of Poland and the Baltic States, noted that the investment will unlock significant new capacity in Poland’s solar sector. She said that partnering with Virya will accelerate the growth of large-scale renewable power and help enhance Poland’s energy security, while demonstrating the strong long-term investment potential in the country’s energy transition.
Grzegorz Zieliński, EBRD Head of Energy Europe, highlighted that the partnership brings together a long-term investor and an experienced local developer at a time when energy resilience is increasingly important. He emphasised that the collaboration will help add much-needed renewable capacity to the Polish grid.
Paul Tummers, CEO of Virya Energy, described the transaction as a key step in advancing the company’s long-term ambitions in Poland and beyond. He stated that working with trusted partners such as the EBRD and Optima Wind strengthens their ability to contribute to a stable and sustainable energy future for both Poland and Europe.
Jean-Claude Moustacakis, CEO of Optima Wind, said the transaction represents a major milestone for the company and for large-scale solar development in Poland. He explained that Sidłowo and Kikowo II were developed over six years, progressing from greenfield sites to fully permitted, grid-connected projects. With the involvement of Virya Energy and the EBRD, Optima Wind looks forward to continuing its role in driving Poland’s clean-energy transition.
Virya Energy operates across the entire sustainable-energy value chain, including green power production in Europe and Southeast Asia, energy distribution, and the development of hydrogen projects. The company is owned by Colruyt Group and Korys. Optima Wind brings 17 years of experience as a leading private renewable developer in the Polish market. The EBRD remains one of Poland’s most active institutional investors, with more than €16.6 billion invested in the country to date.
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