Poland’s largest companies argue that local content must be included at the project planning stage, not just in tender criteria, to build economic resilience and enable Polish firms to participate in Ukraine’s reconstruction. During the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk, representatives of state-owned giants and institutions stressed that the real challenge is shifting the mindset and structuring investments to nurture domestic supply chains.
The debate, moderated around the concept of local content, revealed a consensus: it is not enough to add a preference for Polish companies in a tender. Ilona Deręgowska, vice-president of the Industrial Development Agency (ARP), pointed out that the main barrier is mindset.
– The most important barrier lies in the approach, in the mindset that must be applied in practice – she said.
Deręgowska argued that local content should appear at the very beginning of project preparation. This means verifying supply chains, checking which firms can deliver on time, budget and quality, and dividing contracts into smaller lots to allow smaller entities to participate.
From strategy to supply chain reality
Katarzyna Rozenfeld, vice-president of PGE for operations, said that Poland’s largest energy group has adopted a local content strategy for this year, including short-, medium- and long-term targets. Each subsidiary will have a local content officer, and the company will publish annual procurement plans and engage suppliers before tenders are launched.
– The main task is that this concept really becomes a nationwide concept, not just a concept of state-owned companies – Rozenfeld said, warning that otherwise it will remain a declaration.
Grzegorz Kinelski, president of Enea, drew attention to the layers of suppliers. Not every local firm can win a main contract, but many will participate as second-, third- or fourth-tier subcontractors providing concrete, steel, fencing or installation services.
– We have second-tier, third-tier, fourth-tier suppliers, meaning those who deliver as the fourth subcontractor of the subcontractor of the subcontractor. We need to take care of them too – he said.
Grzegorz Lot, president of Tauron, linked local content to building lasting value for shareholders, regions and the country. In his view, a domestic supplier should be a partner who grows with the energy group and later competes abroad. He also mentioned that in places like Jaworzno, where coal-fired plants are closing, new activities like hydrogen, energy storage and EV charging hubs must emerge, converting the workforce.
Local content as sovereignty and reconstruction tool
Adam Leszkiewicz, president of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ), stressed that in the defence industry local content is not new but gains urgency from the war in Ukraine. He directly linked it to production sovereignty and technological independence.
– Local content, polonisation, sovereignty – this is the greatest lesson for all of us – he said, adding that PGZ’s procurement platform hosts over 2,000 firms and that money from large programmes, like the 40 billion złoty order for Huta Stalowa Wola, cascades down to suppliers across the country.
Beata Stelmach, president of Totalizator Sportowy, introduced a different dimension. She recalled that the company was established over 70 years ago to channel gambling revenues into rebuilding sports infrastructure after the war. Today, as a technology and cybersecurity firm, local content means building a better offer with Polish IT providers.
– For us, local content means building a better offer. We reach for solutions from Polish suppliers – she said.
Finally, Rozenfeld of PGE warned against arrogance. Ukraine will decide its own priorities, terms and timelines.
– So that we do not slip into a narrative of arrogance. At the end of the day, the Ukrainian side will prioritise, will say in what time frame, when, what they want – she said.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Grupa PGE / X.com
