Virya Energy And EBRD Form New 2 GW Platform In Poland After Acquiring Optima Wind’s Solar, BESS And Wind Portfolio To Accelerate Clean-Energy Growth

Virya Energy has announced a major step forward in its plans to expand renewable energy operations in Poland. The company has entered into a strategic partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to acquire and further develop Optima Wind’s portfolio of photovoltaic, battery energy storage systems (BESS) and onshore wind projects in the country. With continued involvement from Optima Wind founders Izabela Olenska-Moustacakis and Jean-Claude Moustacakis, the partnership has resulted in the creation of Virya Renewables Poland, a new renewable energy platform with a development potential of more than 2 GW dedicated to advancing Poland’s clean-energy transition.

Through this collaboration, Virya Renewables Poland will gain access to a significant pipeline of renewable assets, including the rights to projects held by Optima Wind sp. z o.o. The platform will focus on developing, constructing and operating large-scale renewable projects across the country. Among the portfolio’s first major developments is a flagship 722 MWp solar photovoltaic project at Sidłowo, scheduled to begin construction in the coming weeks. Once completed, it will become Poland’s largest solar farm and the first major installation to connect directly to the 400 kV high-voltage grid operated by PSE.

The initial group of projects is expected to produce enough clean electricity to supply the equivalent of roughly 400,000 Polish households every year, avoiding nearly 500,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. These milestones represent a significant contribution to Poland’s growing renewable-energy sector. By combining Virya Energy’s global experience and Optima Wind’s local development capabilities with the EBRD’s financial backing and sustainability expertise, the initiative aims to accelerate the deployment of responsible, large-scale clean-energy infrastructure while maintaining high standards of governance and environmental management.

This expansion reflects Virya Energy’s long-term commitment to supporting a responsible energy transition in Europe, closely aligned with Poland’s recent progress in reshaping its energy system. In June 2025, renewables surpassed coal for the first time in the country’s history. This shift supports national goals under the National Energy and Climate Plan of Poland, which targets more than 50 per cent renewable electricity by 2030. The country’s transmission operator, PSE, has committed around €15 billion through 2034 to prepare the grid to manage as much as 45 GW of solar and 19 GW of onshore wind capacity.

Combined with Virya’s existing operations, the new platform is expected to deliver more than 1 GW of operational renewable capacity in Poland within the next five years. This would represent a tenfold increase from Virya’s current operating base in the country and contribute significantly to Poland’s accelerating energy transition. At present, Virya Energy operates 0.7 GW globally, including around 10 per cent in Poland, and aims to expand this figure to at least 4.3 GW by 2034.

Paul Tummers, CEO of Virya Energy, noted that the partnership marks an important milestone in achieving the company’s long-term goals both in Poland and internationally. He emphasised that the energy transition must serve as a stabilising element in a rapidly changing world, and that working alongside trusted partners like the EBRD and Optima Wind strengthens this vision.

Jean-Claude Moustacakis of Optima Wind added that the transaction represents a major step forward for the company and for large-scale renewable development in Poland. He highlighted that projects such as Sidłowo and Kikowo II have progressed from greenfield to fully permitted, grid-connected, construction-ready status over the past six years, and that Optima Wind looks forward to expanding its role in the country’s energy transition under this new partnership.

Grzegorz Zielinski of the EBRD said the Bank is pleased to support Virya Energy and experienced developers like Moustacakis in bringing additional renewable generation to Poland, noting the growing focus on resilience and energy security across Europe. Grzegorz Onichimowski, President of PSE, stated that rapid renewable-energy expansion is essential for the electrification of the Polish economy. He emphasised that the Sidłowo project, as the first large-scale solar farm connected directly to the transmission grid, represents an important step in ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the system as renewable penetration increases.