Poland invests too little in energy and telecommunications, according to an analysis published by the Polish Economic Institute (PIE). According to experts, the problem is also the relatively low expenditure on high-speed railways.

As analysts from the PIE emphasize, the current decade will bring a significant increase in expenditure on energy, telecommunications, and the road network. 

"Poland still does not invest enough in the first two areas. The problem is also relatively low expenditure on high-speed rail and, on a smaller scale, aviation, and sea transport," PIE stated. 

Experts referring to the Global Infrastructure Hub (GIH) add that Poland achieves "results similar to global leaders in the case of hydrological investments".

GIH estimated that in 2020 Poland needed an annual expenditure of $7.2 billion (2015 prices) for energy investments, $4.9 billion for the road network, and $4 billion for the development of telecommunications. The implementation of expenditure on road infrastructure should not be a problem, while the potential for expenditure on energy and telecommunications is 12 percent lower than needs, excluding cyclical fluctuations. According to current estimates, by 2030 these values ​​will increase in real terms by 28 percent, 21.5 percent, and 20 percent, respectively.  

The calculations cited in the analysis show that the greatest investment shortages are visible in rail transport. 

"Currently, the gap is $1 billion per year, which is 57 percent of estimated needs. Equally high percentages of shortages are reported for aviation and maritime investments, 59 percent and 71 percent of needs, respectively," the experts assessed. 

PIE noted that the amounts involved were much smaller – $0.2 billion and $0.1 billion respectively. As in the case of the energy sector, GIH estimates that the investment gap will widen until 2030.

(PAP)