Electricity in Poland in 2023/2024

Poland's electricity consumption over the past year, from October 2023 to September 2024, has been heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with these sources accounting for almost 68% of the total electricity generation. Coal alone makes up about 57% of the electricity mix. Low-carbon energy sources, which include wind, solar, and hydropower, contribute about 29% to the total electricity generation. Wind energy is the largest contributor among low-carbon sources, generating more than 15%, while solar power accounts for roughly 10%. Hydropower and biofuels add just over 3% combined. Fossil-derived fuels like gas and oil represent approximately 10.78%, and net imports cover nearly 2% of the electricity supply.

Suggestions

To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Poland can focus on expanding existing wind and solar capacities, which have shown considerable potential. Countries like Denmark and Germany, which generate 61% and 31% of their electricity from wind energy respectively, serve as excellent models for Poland. Additionally, nuclear energy presents a stable, nearly carbon-free option. Poland can look to similar nations such as Slovakia and Ukraine, where nuclear accounts for 60% and 55% of electricity generation, and even closer neighbors like Czechia and Bulgaria, with their substantial shares of nuclear at 41% and 42%. Implementing policies that support the growth of clean energy technologies, including nuclear, wind, and solar, can significantly reduce Poland's reliance on fossil fuels and improve environmental outcomes.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in Poland reveals a clear trend of increased investment in solar and wind energy over the years. From 2011 to 2017, wind power saw steady growth, with notable annual increases, including 3.2 TWh in 2015 and 2.3 TWh in 2017. However, there was a brief decline in 2018, with wind generation dropping by 2.1 TWh. This trend reversed in 2019 and continued to grow thereafter. Notably, solar energy has seen impressive gains, especially in recent years, with increases of 1.2 TWh in 2020, 2 TWh in 2021, and a substantial 4.4 TWh in 2022. The latest data from 2023 shows a further increase of 3.9 TWh in solar and 3.3 TWh in wind. Meanwhile, biofuels experienced a slight decline in recent years, with a notable drop of 6 TWh in 2023/2024. Poland's focus has clearly shifted towards enhancing its wind and solar capacity, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable and low-carbon electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Maximum Imports

Data Sources