Poland's Economy
Coal and Poland's Energy Challenge
Why Poland has relied on coal for most of its electricity, the costs of EU carbon pricing, and its plans for renewables and nuclear power.
Poland has long relied on coal for electricity.
Dependence
- Coal generated around 70 percent or more of Poland’s power in the late 2010s, falling to around 55 to 60 percent by 2024 as renewables grew.
- Silesia is the coal-mining heartland.
Why coal
- Domestic reserves and jobs.
- Energy security, avoiding dependence on Russian gas.
Costs
- EU carbon prices raise costs for coal plants.
- Air pollution: some Polish cities have among the EU’s worst air.
Transition
- Rapid growth in solar, especially rooftop solar, and wind.
- Plans for Poland’s first nuclear power plant on the Baltic coast.
- Agreements to phase out coal mines by 2049.
Russian gas
After 2022, Poland stopped importing Russian gas, using the Baltic Pipe from Norway and LNG.
Lesson
Coal regions need a just transition for workers.
The smog city
In winter, Kraków suffers heavy smog from coal-burning homes, prompting a ban on burning coal in household stoves.
Thinking Poland can quit coal quickly
Jobs, energy security and infrastructure slow the transition.
Key takeaways
- Poland long relied on coal for most electricity.
- EU carbon prices and pollution raise costs.
- Solar and wind grew rapidly; nuclear is planned.
- Coal mines are set to close by 2049.
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