Electricity in Poland in 2024
In 2024, Poland's electricity consumption is primarily driven by fossil fuels, with nearly 70% of its electricity generation coming from such sources. Coal remains the dominant contributor within this category, accounting for more than half of the total electricity generation. In contrast, low-carbon sources contribute close to 30% of the electricity, with wind energy making up almost half of this fraction. Solar energy and biofuels follow as significant low-carbon contributors, while hydropower and net imports account for a small portion, highlighting a significant dependency on fossil fuels and a modest but growing low-carbon sector.
Suggestions
Poland has a promising opportunity to increase its low-carbon electricity generation by further expanding its wind energy capacity, building on its already substantial contribution. Drawing insights from countries like Denmark, which generates over half of its electricity from wind, Poland can gain knowledge on effective policy frameworks and technology investments essential for scaling up wind projects. Introducing new nuclear projects is another viable approach, inspired by neighbors like Slovakia and Czechia, where nuclear accounts for a noteworthy portion of their electricity mix. Learning from these countries' advancements in nuclear technology could assist Poland in making considerable strides towards a more significant share of green energy, ultimately reducing reliance on fossil fuels and enhancing environmental sustainability.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Poland has seen notable growth over recent decades. In the early 2010s, wind energy witnessed consistent growth, with annual increases in generation, peaking in 2015 with a 3.2 TWh increase. This growth trajectory continued despite a minor decline in 2018, picking up momentum again and maintaining consistent expansion through to 2024. Solar energy started gaining traction in 2020, experiencing a significant increase of 4.4 TWh in 2022, and riding a wave of growth through to 2024. While biofuels and hydropower have fluctuated over the years, the steady rise of wind and solar technology portrays an encouraging transformation towards more sustainable energy solutions in Poland's electricity landscape. This progress marks a positive trend in the country's ongoing transition to low-carbon electricity.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.