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Warsaw, Poland – June 27, 2025 – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has extended a PLN 300 million (€70 million) Sustainability-Linked Loan to Światłowód Inwestycje (S-I), Poland’s largest wholesale-only fibre infrastructure operator, to support its network expansion in semi-urban areas and to refinance existing debt.
The financing is part of a broader PLN 3.7 billion (€871 million) syndicated debt package, which includes contributions from international and local lenders, among them the European Investment Bank (PLN 800 million / €188 million). An additional uncommitted facility of PLN 750 million (€177 million) is available for future growth initiatives.
S-I’s ongoing expansion will connect an additional 700,000 households, contributing to its target of 3.1 million homes passed by 2032. The EBRD’s loan is structured as a Sustainability-Linked Loan, incorporating ESG-related performance targets in line with Green Loan Principles and the Sustainability-Linked Loan Principles.
“This first engagement with S-I marks an important step in expanding our support for sustainable digital infrastructure in Poland,” said Holger Muent, Head of EBRD’s Telecommunications, Media and Technology department.
S-I’s CFO Krzysztof Wróbel welcomed the EBRD’s entry into its financing consortium, calling it a validation of the company’s strategy and long-term vision.
The ESG framework underpinning the financing includes key performance indicators related to digital inclusion, the circular economy, and improvements in the company’s GRESB score, a recognized benchmark for ESG performance.
Fibre-optic infrastructure is known for its energy efficiency and long lifespan, significantly reducing environmental impact compared to copper networks. This investment aligns with the EBRD’s commitment to supporting green, inclusive, and sustainable infrastructure development.
The EBRD remains a major institutional investor in Poland, with a portfolio of 563 projects totaling €15.8 billion to date.
Excerpts from EBRD article Authored by Vanora Bennett
