Poland - Factors to Watch December 17

WARSAW, Dec 17 (Reuters) - The following are significant news stories, press reports and events on Wednesday. ALL TIMES GMT (Poland: GMT + 1 hour):

OFFSHORE WIND AUCTION

Poland is launching its first competitive offshore wind auction on Wednesday, a test experts say could revive Europe's struggling sector as developers vie for long-term contracts after a string of failed tenders across the region.

PSE

Polish power grid operator PSE said on Tuesday it aims to prepare the country's transmission system for a zero-emission energy mix by 2035, under a strategy running through 2040.

LEADERS' MEETING IN HELSINKI

European Union nations that face Russia and its ally Belarus on NATO's eastern flank called for the EU to take a bigger role in enhancing the continent's defence and security, the leaders of eight countries said as they met in Helsinki on Tuesday.

KGHM

The amended copper mining tax law will allow KGHM KGH.WA, Poland's largest producer of this metal, to save over 10 billion zlotys ($2.78 billion) over 10 years, Rzeczpospolita daily reported.

DEBT

On Wednesday, the Polish Ministry of Finance is planning a switch tender during which it will offer bonds maturing between 2028 and 2035.

Reuters has not verified stories reported by Polish media and does not vouch for their accuracy.

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($1 = 3.5960 zlotys)