The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is investing in the future of Poland’s digital infrastructure by providing a PLN 300 million (€70 million) Sustainability-Linked Loan to Światłowód Inwestycje (S-I), the country’s largest wholesale-only fibre infrastructure provider. This landmark financing will accelerate the company’s rollout of high-speed fibre optic internet in semi-urban areas and help refinance existing debt.

The funding will enable 700,000 additional households across Poland to gain access to energy-efficient, high-speed broadband, moving S-I closer to its strategic goal of reaching 3.1 million homes passed by the end of 2032.

Strategic Financing to Drive Digital Inclusion and Sustainability
This is the EBRD’s first direct engagement with S-I, underscoring its broader commitment to supporting sustainable digital infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe.

“By linking financing to measurable ESG outcomes, this project sets a benchmark for accountability, transparency, and environmental responsibility,” said Holger Muent, Head of the EBRD’s Telecommunications, Media and Technology department.

The PLN 300 million loan forms part of a PLN 3.7 billion (€871 million) syndicated financing package, which also includes a PLN 800 million (€188 million) loan from the European Investment Bank and additional commitments from international and domestic lenders. An uncommitted debt facility of up to PLN 85 million (€20 million) is also included, alongside a potential PLN 750 million (€177 million) incremental facility to support future organic or inorganic growth.

“We’re proud to welcome EBRD to our financing consortium,” said Krzysztof Wróbel, CFO of Światłowód Inwestycje. “Their involvement reflects confidence in our operational model and long-term vision for a more digitally connected Poland.”

ESG-Linked Financing to Promote Green, Inclusive Connectivity
The EBRD’s loan follows the Sustainability-Linked Loan Principles and Green Loan Principles set out by the Loan Market Association, and includes specific Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) key performance indicators (KPIs) focused on:

Circular economy practices

Digital inclusion

GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark) score improvement

Fibre optic networks are among the most energy-efficient broadband technologies, consuming significantly less energy than legacy copper networks and offering a much longer operational lifespan. This makes fibre deployment a cornerstone of the EBRD’s green digital transformation agenda, helping to reduce carbon emissions across sectors while increasing digital access.

EBRD’s Long-Term Impact in Poland
The EBRD has been a major institutional investor in Poland for over three decades. To date, it has financed 563 projects with a total investment of €15.8 billion, supporting sectors such as infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, and technology.

About Światłowód Inwestycje (S-I)
Światłowód Inwestycje is Poland’s leading wholesale-only fibre network operator, focused on expanding open-access broadband infrastructure to underserved and semi-urban areas. The company plays a vital role in bridging the digital divide and supporting national goals for universal high-speed internet access.