Electricity in Poland in 2024

In 2024, the majority of Poland's electricity generation, nearly seven out of ten parts, comes from fossil fuels, with coal being the dominant fossil source at over half. Low-carbon generation, encompassing sources such as wind, solar, and biofuels, makes up about three out of every ten parts of Poland's electricity mix. Wind and solar are leading contributors among low-carbon sources, accounting for almost one-third of total electricity, with wind responsible for about one and a half parts and solar generating just over one part out of every ten. Biomass and hydropower represent negligible portions of the overall mix, each contributing less than two parts. Such a heavy reliance on fossil fuels accentuates the urgent need to enhance clean energy efforts to combat climate change and reduce air pollution impacts.

Suggestions

To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Poland can focus on expanding its existing wind and solar capacities, as these technologies are already contributing significantly to its energy mix. Observations from other countries indicate that nuclear energy could also be a game changer for Poland. Neighboring Slovakia and Ukraine achieve over half of their electricity from nuclear power, while France leads with almost seven out of ten parts. By incorporating nuclear power into its energy strategy, Poland can diversify its energy sources and emulate these successes. Lessons from countries like Lithuania, where wind accounts for more than a third, also suggest the potential scaling of wind technology to achieve significant clean energy milestones.

History

Poland has shown a dynamic history in the development of low-carbon electricity, especially in the last decade. From 2011 to 2017, wind energy saw considerable growth, with yearly increases peaking at 3.2 TWh in 2015. The solar sector gained momentum later, with substantial growth starting in 2020, doubling in 2022, and reaching a robust growth of 5.1 TWh in 2024. While wind faced a minor setback in 2018, it bounced back in subsequent years. An interesting aspect is the fluctuations in biofuel's role, recently experiencing a notable decline in 2024. It is clear that wind and solar have driven the recent surge in clean energy, while the potential for nuclear remains largely untapped.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Maximum Imports

Data Sources