In the January issue of Builder magazine, research firm Spectis provided a discussion of their new report ‘Water construction in Poland 2025-2030’.
Table of Contents
The current state of water construction in Poland
The hydro construction sector in Poland has developed significantly in recent years. According to the Spectis report, the value of this sector in 2023 reached a record PLN 14.6 billion, which accounted for more than 9% of total construction and assembly production. A large proportion of these investments relate to the construction of water and sewerage networks, which are an important element in rainwater management and drought protection.
Government program to support the development of hydraulic engineering amount to more than PLN 100 billion. Despite optimistic forecasts, the implementation of all planned investments will be difficult within the assumed time frame. There is a risk that only some of the projects will be completed. However, the investments already underway will already have a significant impact on the development of the sector.
Needs and potential for the development of hydraulic engineering
The increase in the frequency of floods and prolonged periods of drought are forcing the development of water infrastructure. There is an urgent need for the construction of new reservoirs and the modernization of existing drainage systems. The report also mentions a project to build a barrage on the Vistula at Siarzewo, but in our opinion the chances of this investment being realized are close to zero.
Państwowe Gospodarstwo Wodne Wody Polskie acts as one of the main investors in the water construction sector. Its plans include the construction of water stages in Ścinawa and Lubiąż, the Kąty-Myscowa reservoir and the revitalization of the Zemborzycki reservoir.
Future development directions
Poland is also betting on the development of seaports. The government’s program for port development up to 2030 envisages investments worth PLN 40 billion. Plans include the expansion of the container terminal in Świnoujście and the construction of an installation terminal for offshore wind farms in the Port of Gdańsk.
An additional development stimulus will be provided by the Program for Counteracting Water Scarcity (PPNW), which envisages increasing water retention to 15% and building 94 new water reservoirs.
Summary and conclusions
Water construction in Poland is developing dynamically, but requires further investment and better planning. In order to improve flood protection, the modernization of water and sewage networks, the construction of new reservoirs and the increase of water retention capacity are of particular importance.
Despite ambitious plans, the implementation of all projects may be difficult due to budgetary and administrative constraints. It will also be important (as we have already written about in this article) to make effective use of EU funds and to implement modern technologies in the planning and implementation of investments.
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For a detailed discussion of the Spectis report, by Bartłomiej Sosna, see the digital edition of Builder magazine