The State-owned power company PGE was located at the center of the media storm after changes in board. The fresh authorities, who took positions after Donald Tusk's coalition took over, immediately drew attention to themselves with controversial decisions. The media reports costly renovations, luxury service cars and attempts to silence journalists. Is this the beginning of a fresh era in company management, or is this an example of excessive public spending?
New President, fresh priorities
In March 2024 Dariusz Marzec, a politician and manager with experience in the government of Mark Belka and earlier unions with PGE became president of PGE. His appointment was to be a step towards the implementation of the strategical task of Polish atomic energy. But alternatively of focusing on the key challenges, the fresh CEO immediately took care of... his own comfort.
According to interior papers of the company, to which Virtual Poland reached, March already in its first days of office ordered the renovation of its cabinet and adjacent premises. Cost? As many as PLN 550 thousand. The amount proved to be advanced adequate to require approval by the full PGE board. Finally, the renovation besides included another rooms on the board floor, and the full cost was PLN 1.3 million. As president March explained, it meant that it was “sleek”.
However, the renovation of the cabinets is not all. The fresh PGE authorities besides decided to replace service cars. BMW's existing vehicles, utilized by board members, were intended to be emergency and hinder reaching crucial meetings. It was so decided to rent a long-term fresh car.
The problem is that the General acquisition Procedure of the PGE Capital Group does not let to indicate a circumstantial brand in the order. Meanwhile, the fresh board cared about Audi cars. In order to circumvent the rules, a peculiar justification was prepared, which states that "we require that Audi cars be rented". The value of the order was estimated at PLN 1.65 million for the lease of 5 cars.
Moreover, the company's policy on the value of business cars has besides changed. Previously there were limits, now they have been abolished, which means that CEOs and vice presidents can usage cars of any value.
Combating Media
When journalists began asking uncomfortable questions, PGE decided to act. alternatively of giving exhaustive answers, the company hired a lawyer. Agnieszka Chrzanowska, representing PGE, sent a letter of lawyer to the editorial board of Virtual Poland, informing against publication that could compromise the company's individual assets and its management.
Three days later, an interview with Tomasz Wołujewicz, manager of the PGE support unit, was released on the Modern Flota.pl portal. In the conversation, he explained that the decision to replace cars was dictated by their age, course and emergency. "They were emergency and generated advanced service costs. There have been faults that prevented driving from continuing, which resulted in lateness or no attendance at crucial business meetings at all," said Wołużewicz.
Is this the fresh Byzantium?
These events bring to head associations with Byzantium – a symbol of splendor and excessive spending. In the case of PGE, we are faced with a situation where the fresh company's authorities immediately began investing in luxury working conditions, alternatively than focusing on strategical challenges specified as the improvement of atomic power.
Are specified actions justified in the case of a company of key importance for the energy safety of Poland? Shouldn't the expenses for renovations and luxury cars be spent on investment in infrastructure development? These questions stay unanswered, and the PGE must face expanding criticism from the media and the public.
One thing is certain – changes in the PGE have attracted not only the energy industry, but besides all those who observe how public money is spent by state-owned companies. Is this the beginning of a fresh era in PGE management, or is this an example of excessive splendor? Time will tell.
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Byzantium in PGE under fresh management: Luxury cars, cabinet renovations and fight against media
