Virya Energy And EBRD Partner To Accelerate Renewable Energy Expansion In Poland

Virya Energy NV is pleased to announce the acceleration of its renewable energy expansion in Poland, through a strategic partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for the acquisition and further realisation of Optima Wind’s development portfolio of photovoltaic, BESS and onshore wind projects in Poland. Together with the continued support of Optima Wind founders Izabela Olenska-Moustacakis and Jean-Claude Moustacakis, the partnership establishes Virya Renewables Poland, a new renewable energy platform with a total potential project capacity in excess of 2 GW dedicated to advancing Poland’s clean-energy transition.

This partnership will enable Virya Renewables Poland to acquire and develop a substantial portfolio of renewable energy assets, including the rights to projects currently held by Optima Wind sp. z o.o. The platform’s focus includes the development, construction and operation of utility-scale renewable projects across the country, including a flagship 722 MWp solar PV project starting construction in the next weeks. The Sidlowo project will not only be Poland’s largest PV solar farm, it will be the first large-scale installation connecting to the 400kv high voltage grid of PSE.

Once operational, the initial portfolio is expected to generate enough climate-friendly electricity to power the equivalent of 400.000 households in Poland annually and will avoid close to 500,000 tonnes of CO_₂ emissions each year.

These numbers mark a major advancement for Poland’s renewable-energy landscape. By combining Virya’s and Optima Wind’s development expertise with the EBRD’s financial strength and sustainability leadership, this initiative will accelerate the responsible deployment of large-scale clean-energy capacity while supporting robust governance and environmental stewardship.

It displays Virya Energy’s commitment to driving a responsible energy transition in Europe and beyond, which aligns well with Poland’s remarkable progress in its energy transformation. In June 2025, renewables overtook coal for the first time in Poland’s history, on track for the National Energy and Climate Plan that targets over 50% renewable electricity by 2030. A target that is backed-up by Poland’s transmission system operator PSE who has committed approximately €15B through 2034 to enable the grid to handle up to 45 GW of solar and 19 GW of onshore wind capacity.

The combination of Virya’s existing activities and the new platform is expected to deliver an operational renewable asset base in Poland exceeding 1 GW within the next five years, representing more than a tenfold increase from Virya’s current operational base in the country and contributing to Poland’s accelerating transition.

Virya Energy currently operates 0.7 GW of installed renewable capacity, of which 10% in Poland, and targets at least 4.3 GW globally by 2034.

Paul Tummers, CEO Virya Energy, said: “Today we take an important step towards realizing our long-term ambitions in Poland and globally. The energy transition must be an enabler and stabilizing factor in a fast-changing world. Navigating it alongside trusted partners such as EBRD and Optima Wind brings us closer to that goal. This partnership reflects our long-term view, and through our Fit For Purpose strategy, will enable significant positive impact on the Polish and European energy markets.”

Jean-Claude Moustacakis, CEO Optima Wind, commented: “This transaction is a major milestone for Optima Wind and for the development of large-scale renewable energy in Poland. Over the past six years, we have developed Sidłowo and Kikowo II from greenfield stage into fully permitted, grid-connected projects ready for construction. With the support of Virya Energy and EBRD, we are proud to continue playing a central role in Poland’s energy transition, now working alongside strong international partners who share our long-term vision and commitment.”

Grzegorz Zielinski, Head of Energy Europe, EBRD said: “In a world of heightened focus on energy security and resilience, we are very pleased to support Virya Energy, an investor with a long-term horizon, and experienced developer Jean-Claude Moustacakis, in adding much-needed renewable generation capacity to Poland’s energy mix. “

Grzegorz Onichimowski, President of PSE, commented: The rapid development of various renewable energy sources is crucial to the electrification of the Polish economy. As the transmission system operator, we are committed to ensuring the safe operation of the power system as the share of intermittent sources increases. The Sidłowo project, which will be the first large-scale solar park connected directly to the transmission grid, is a significant milestone in the energy transition.”